$45.9m in USAID Funding for Jordan Water Projects

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation Tuesday signed two financing agreements with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), totaling $45.9 million, to enhance Jordan's water infrastructure and reduce water loss. The first agreement, valued at $35 million, aims to reduce water loss and improve water supply, a project that will be supported by a $10.5 million contribution from the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna). The second is for rehabilitating approximately 13 kilometers of the King Abdullah Canal as part of the water loss reduction initiative. This project, valued at $10.9 million, also includes an additional $4.4 million contribution from the German government through the German Development Bank (KfW). The agreements were signed by Jordan Valley Authority Secretary-General Hesham Alhesa, Miyahuna CEO Mohammad Ouran, and Director of the Water and Environment Office at USAID Laura Gonzalez. Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud, who oversaw the signing, emphasized the critic al need to enhance water resources, reduce water loss and ensure sustainable supplies for drinking and irrigation. He highlighted the ministry's efforts to develop the water system, particularly in the Jordan Valley, in line with the national strategic plan to reduce water loss in the Kingdom to below 25 percent. Abu Saud expressed gratitude for the USAID and KfW, noting that their contributions are vital in protecting Jordan's scarce water resources, improving the performance of water companies and addressing the water challenges posed to the Kingdom, he said. Gonzalez reiterated USAID's commitment to providing technical and technological support to improve the performance of water companies, reduce water loss and enhance Jordan's water infrastructure toward achieving the long-term goal of a stable and resilient water sector in the Kingdom. The projects under these agreements aim to modernize infrastructure, improve water management, and adopt advanced technologies to reduce water loss. Key initiatives i nclude building a transmission line from Al-Hallabat well in the Azraq-Khaw area to supply 5 million cubic meters of water annually and curb the illegal water use of the King Abdullah Canal. The project is expected to secure approximately 3.34 million cubic meters of water annually to increase supply in key governorates, including Amman, Irbid, and Balqa. Source: Jordan News Agency