Jordan has made significant strides towards achieving its goal of 100% reuse of reclaimed water in order to save freshwater resources. Around 90% of the 73 million cubic metres of reclaimed water from Jordan’s 19 Wastewater Treatment Plants is reused, both directly and indirectly, in industry, landscaping, and agriculture. A Water Reuse and Environment Unit (WREU) within the Ministry of Water and Irrigation has been established to monitor and regulate wastewater reuse activities and has adopted clear standards regarding the use of reclaimed water for agriculture.

The Reuse for Industry, Agriculture and Landscaping (RIAL) Project, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to build on this success and its experience working toward sustainable use of reclaimed water resources, providing economic benefit, and supporting community development. Demonstration sites and landscaping projects in Amman, Aqaba, and Wadi Musa focus on implementation of direct water reuse for agriculture and landscaping. Projects targeting industry seek to encourage conservation, reduce pollution, and promote an Environmental Management System framework approach. RIAL also engages in institutional strengthening and public participation activities, including support to the WREU and public awareness and training events to improve acceptance of water reuse.

Web site: Water Authority of Jordan - Water Reuse and Environment Unit (WREU)

See also: Sanicon - Wastewater reuse

Contact: RIAL office, Jordan, tel./fax: +962-6-565-1913/190,
CDM-RIALProject@cdm.jo

Source: Pat Bakir, RIAL Project, Jordan, 3 Jan 2006

Tags: sanitation, water resources management