Background
While water system coverage is extensive throughout Jordan, water supplies are not always constant. Water losses from these systems, which are at times excessive, are also problematic in light of the persistent water shortage. To cope with increased population growth and allow for the beneficial reuse of wastewater in agriculture, sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) need upgrading and expanding.
To sustain improvements to water system infrastructure after the project is completed, the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) and the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) must be well-positioned to improve the Jordanian water sector well into the future. To improve staff capability and achieve sustainable operation of water infrastructure facilities, training of staff from water companies and the WAJ is also a pressing need.
Project Overview
With the objective of improving how water resources are utilized and wastewater facilities are managed over the next 25 years, the Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project (WIP) is responding to dire improvements needed in the water sector. The project seeks to achieve the objectives of:
- Delivering critically needed water and wastewater infrastructure facilities
- Providing training and capacity building to the WAJ and water companies throughout Jordan
Commenced in May, 2010, USAID’s five-year investment program involves the delivery of improvements in Amman, Zarqa, Ma’an, Tafileh, Jerash, and Irbid water/wastewater facilities. In the short-term, the WIP will implement an improved and more efficient water sector over the next five years. In the long-term, a comprehensive and fully responsive water strategy will be developed through the planning horizon of 2035.
Activities
- Studying and preparing water/wastewater master plans, implementing feasibility studies, and preparing tender documents for urgent infrastructure needs.
- Selecting sites for new water/wastewater facilities and designing facilities that meet requirements such as reuse standards for treated wastewater.
- Incorporating staff from WAJ and water companies into project activities for on-the-job training, improving their ability to plan and design water/wastewater facilities effectively and sustainably.
- Providing quality designs and construction supervision, including the testing and start-up of new/upgraded facilities.
Impact
- Developed projections on population, water demand and wastewater flow, in addition to preparing geographic information system (GIS) mapping, data collection, and hydraulic models for master plans and feasibility studies of water/wastewater systems.
- Identified needed infrastructure improvements through master plans and feasibility studies.
- Selected infrastructure improvements for WAJ and Miyahuna and completed designs/tenders for the East Jerash WWTP, two Amman water projects, and the Tafilah WWTP. Prequalification of contractors, tender evaluations and environmental assessments were also completed for these projects.
- Trained WAJ and Miyahuna staff in GIS and hydraulic modeling, and installed GIS models and computer hardware/software in WAJ and Miyahuna offices for continued use.
- Designs, surveys and geotechnical investigations for selected water/wastewater infrastructure improvements are currently underway for Amman area sewers, the West Zarqa Force Main and the Wadi Arab Water System II in Irbid.
- Providing construction management services on two ongoing Amman water projects.
- Facilitating ongoing efforts with WAJ and various funding agencies for financing construction projects currently under design.
Partners
CDM International Inc. (CDM)
Ministry of Water and Irrigation
Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ)
Ministry of the Environment
Miyahuna
Aqaba Water Company
Hatch Mott MacDonald
Consolidated Consultants for Engineering and Environment (CC)
Consulting Engineering Center (CEC)
Cardno Emerging Markets USA, Ltd. (Cardno EMG)
Al Mehwar Land Survey Office
Comment
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