Water Ministry launches 2024 National Water Conservation Plan

AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abul Saud highlighted on Tuesday the significant water challenges that Jordan faces, including resource scarcity, climate change and the decline in the per capita share to less than 61 cubic metres annually for all uses.

During the National Water Conservation Plan 2024 launch ceremony, Abul Saud stressed the water sector's ongoing efforts to align with the Economic Modernisation Vision, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He added that these efforts include exploring non-traditional sources, mainly the desalination of Red Sea water through the National Carrier Project, reducing water losses, addressing illegal water usage, increasing water and sanitation services, utilising treated water, and enhancing the role of youth in the water sector.

The plan aims to promote long-term water conservation and efficient use across various sectors, defining institutional and national roles for the sustainability and preservation of water sources as outlined in the National Water Strategy, water policies, and Economic Modernisation Vision, the minister added.

Abul Saud noted that the plan also seeks to enhance partnerships with the private sector and support scientific research and legislative development related to water consumption.

The minister said the plan is a "crucial step" towards securing Jordan's water future by prioritising demand management and sustainable use for future generations.

On the sidelines of the launch ceremony, the Ministry of Water unveiled the creative identity "Water for Lasting Good", where Assistant Secretary-General of the Water Authority of Jordan Omar Salameh highlighted the importance of this identity, which urges all Jordanians to participate in preserving water.

The identity aims to increase awareness of responsible water use and ensure that water conservation principles are passed on to future generations, he pointed out.

Salameh called on all sectors to participate in creating a national endeavour for efficient water use to achieve sustainable water security, stressing the importance of the private sector in promoting this identity, particularly in high-consumption sectors like agriculture, tourism, and industry.

USAID Mission Director Leslie Reed said that the creative identity would facilitate the adoption of water-efficient technologies and behavioural changes at both institutional and individual levels.

She noted that the plan focuses on managing water demand and preserving it alongside managing supplies and investments in high-cost infrastructure, which enhances national water security.

The plan includes 16 initiatives covering all water use sectors, focusing on legislative aspects to increase efficiency, institutional coordination, private sector participation, awareness programmes, and changing society's behaviour towards more efficient water use.

The USAID supported the ministry in formulating this plan through the Water Conservation Project, in cooperation with over 200 participants from major sectors of the Jordanian economy, aiming to improve water use efficiency in the agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors.

The ceremony featured a video outlining the plan's strategic objectives, addressing several water sector management issues, and included a dialogue session that went over various topics such as water demand management, water conservation in agriculture, the role of water companies, and innovation in water use efficiency.