Amman, Oct. 14 (Petra) – The Amman Group for Future Dialogues on Tuesday hosted a panel discussion titled "The Water Reality in Jordan: Challenges and Solutions," featuring former Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazem Al-Nasser, with the participation of the group’s chairman Bilal Hassan Al-Tell, members, and water experts.
Al-Nasser said that Jordan, as a country limited in natural resources, faces an escalating water challenge due to low rainfall and its semi-arid climate, compounded by geopolitical pressures and forced migrations that have increased water consumption rates.
He noted that successive waves of refugees since 1992 beginning with Iraqis and later Syrians, whose numbers exceeded 1.5 million have placed significant pressure on water resources, reducing the per capita annual water share to around 60 cubic meters, far below the global water poverty line of 500 cubic meters.
Al-Nasser explained that groundwater remains Jordan’s primary water source, particularly in northern governorates, accounting for 74 percent of total water use. He stressed that these freshwater reserves should be preserved for drinking purposes only to ensure their sustainability.
He added that climate change and harmful practices such as drilling unlicensed wells and vegetation loss are among the main causes of worsening water scarcity, pointing out that rainfall last year amounted to only 50 percent of the annual average.
Al-Nasser said the water crisis has worsened over the past 15 years compared with previous decades, posing a direct threat to economic development and public health, given water’s essential role in supporting investment projects.
Despite these challenges, he noted that Jordan has improved water-use efficiency in agriculture significantly, cutting water consumption by about 40 percent in 2020 compared to the 1990s, while agricultural output doubled thanks to smart technology and wastewater reuse, alongside growing public awareness of water conservation.
He praised Aqaba Water Company for winning several excellence awards for its adoption of smart water management technologies that helped reduce losses and improve distribution efficiency.
During the discussion, participants explored ways to address water challenges by enhancing oversight of illegal wells, curbing network violations*, and promoting a culture of water conservation.
//Petra// AF
