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Ammon News - The government stated that discussions are still in progress regarding the contractual terms of the National Water Desalination and Transport Project, which seeks to desalinate roughly 300 million cubic meters of water from the Gulf of Aqaba and deliver it to different governorates.

The Purchasing Committee declared Meridiam Suez as the preferred bidder on August 19. Their updated bid fulfilled the technical and financial qualifications and reached the minimum technical score specified in the terms of reference.

The primary elements of the National Water Transport Project include an intake station at the southern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, a desalination and pumping station in Aqaba, and a transmission line spanning roughly 450 kilometers. It offers a lasting supply of 300 million cubic meters of drinking water, filling the current void between demand and supply. It is a project of national importance and is not associated with any political parties.

The ministry stated that the desalination carrier is the world's "second largest project" and Jordan's "largest project" ever, supplying all governorates with drinking water.

The "national carrier" project in Jordan is part of the country's economic modernization plan and seeks to fulfill Jordan's water needs. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation stated that $2.7 billion out of the total cost of $3.5 billion has already been secured.

The report on the advancement of the executive plan for the economic modernization vision for the third quarter of this year, released on Tuesday, stated that the government aimed to discover fresh water sources and boost the strategic reserve by drilling new wells, enhancing key well gathering and transportation systems, and constructing tanks, as well as essential treatment facilities.

In 2023, the water supply volume rose by 12 million cubic meters compared to 2022, with a 3.7% decrease in water loss percentage.

The completion of well drilling in Al-Rifaiyat-Mafraq area and commencement of new well drilling in Aqab area, Well 5, along with completion of drilling 3 production wells in Disa Aqaba area, are being reported. Additionally, efforts are ongoing to plan and design various water treatment projects, drill wells, desalinate groundwater, set up collection tanks, and initiate wastewater purification plant projects for utilizing treated water in irrigation.

The government affirmed that it will persist in carrying out initiatives to enhance regulations on water sources and networks in order to safeguard and support water sources and supply systems.

A governance and project follow-up system has been implemented across the entire water sector to enhance governance and efficiency. This includes updating the investment program, developing a monitoring tool, and setting priorities and indicators for water sector projects. Monthly progress tracking is now in place for all projects, with ongoing efforts to update national plans for sanitation and water infrastructure, as well as comprehensive plans at the governorate level. These plans will serve as the foundation for the water sector's investment program.

Efforts are currently being made to carry out projects in different parts of the country with the goal of improving the water network, decreasing technical loss, implementing meter replacements, enhancing administrative procedures, and reducing illegal use. These measures aim to minimize administrative loss in the water sector, leading to improved financial stability and individual share increase. Water loss decreased by 3.7% in 2023 compared to 2022 as a result of these actions.

The Aqaba Treated Water Pumping Station Rehabilitation Project, focusing on solar energy, energy efficiency, and pump replacement, has been finished. Additionally, consulting services for 24 MW Roadmap PV solar energy projects have also been completed. Efforts are being made to carry out solar energy initiatives, energy efficiency projects, and pump replacement projects.