Ammon News - Amman, Jordan – Wednesday 6 November, 2024 - Today, World Waternet (an Amsterdam water utility) and Yarmouk Water Company (YWC) completed the four-year Water Operators' Partnership in Irbid. This 5.6 million euro water infrastructure project was funded and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan. Through collaborative efforts, the project has positively impacted over 125,000 citizens, enhancing their access to improved sanitation and providing clean, sufficient, and safe water for Irbid’s population.

The city of Irbid faces mounting pressure on its aging wastewater systems. This has led to frequent sewer blockages, overflows, and flooding in densely populated areas. In response, the Netherlands sought to empower YWC through World Waternet’s expertise to help address these issues, which threaten the public health, environmental safety, and quality of life of over a hundred thousand citizens.

"The people of Jordan face tremendous challenges with water scarcity. The Netherlands is working closely with our partners to implement sustainable water practices. Today, we are glad to see the results of the cooperation between World Waternet and YWC. Together, we’ve made tangible improvements in addressing water and wastewater challenges intensified by Irbid's rapid population growth, benefiting both citizens and business owners,” said H.E. Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan.

“This partnership highlights the power of collaboration in achieving meaningful change. Working together with YWC, we’ve delivered impactful solutions that will strengthen Jordan’s water management capacity for years to come,” stated Kees van der Lugt, Regional Director, World Waternet Middle East and North Africa.

The Water Operators’ Partnership, achieved the following successes:

1. Upgraded Infrastructure: Replacement of 12 kilometers of outdated sewer pipes in Irbid’s city centre, reducing blockages and enhancing wastewater flow.
2. Capacity Building: Training provided for over 250 YWC staff in infrastructure maintenance, safety protocols, and asset management, equipping the local team with long-term, sustainable skills. On top of this, 6 trucks have been shipped from the Netherlands to Jordan to inspect and clean the wastewater system of Irbid. The dedicated technicians of Yarmouk have received intense training on this and have already cleaned over 30 kilometers of sewage pipes throughout the city.
3. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: New asset management and procurement protocols empower YWC to manage resources more effectively and sustain improvements over time. This has improved efficiency of three major wastewater treatment plants, which purify over 26 million liters of wastewater per day.
4. Improved Safety Measures: Introduction of safety standards, including COVID-19 measures, to ensure worker and public safety during system operations. Safety equipment has been provided to Yarmouk, such as safety vests, gas masks, hydrogen sulfur meters, glasses and metal detectors.

This project is a direct investment in the community’s resilience and aligns with SDG 6’s goals for clean, sustainable water and sanitation access. Through strengthened maintenance practices and improved flood management, YWC now has a robust framework to support the region’s growing water needs in a sustainable way. All the activities of this project contribute to the sanitation components of SDG6.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in Dutch-Jordanian cooperation, demonstrating the impact of collaborative, sustainable water management. The Netherlands remains committed to working with Jordan to build resilience against the challenges of climate change and water scarcity.