Euthenasia

Information

As this chart sharply illustrates, Jordan is one of the ten most water-deprived countries in the world. Whereas the average U.S. citizen has more than 9,000 cubic meters of fresh water available per year, the average Jordanian has less than 200 - a 45-fold difference. Lack of water will be one of the most serious challenges to Jordan’s future economic growth. With population expected to double by 2029, the already low availability will be halved.

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Challenges

Jordan’s political stability and economic prospects depend heavily on Jordan’s ability to manage its scarce water resources. The problem has two dimensions. The first, and most obvious, is total supply. However, there is an equally important dimension, that of management of the resources available in an integrated manner.

Scarce water has been treated in some cases as if it were abundant. Hence, water prices have been minimal and demand excessive. Two-thirds of the Kingdom’s water goes to low-value agricultural crops, while higher value demands for urban consumers, industry and tourism go unmet. Furthermore, half of Amman’s water supply is “lost” or unaccounted for somewhere in the nation’s distribution network.

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Response

Reusing treated wastewater for agriculture could effectively double Greater Amman's water supply at affordable costs (where nearly half the country’s population resides). However, a supply-only response without accompanying demand management and conservation is likely to result in simply wasting even larger quantities. For these reasons, USAID/Jordan in close cooperation with the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Water Authority of Jordan pursues a two-track approach to the water sector that not only generates supply but also encourages more cost effective water use in all sectors and includes both construction activities and the transfer of technical skills.