01 June 2003
AMMAN (JT) — The construction of a new dam capable of storing 37 million cubic metres (mcm) of water is expected to be completed in September, a senior government official said Saturday.
Jordan Valley Authority Secretary General Zafer Alem said the Mujeb Dam would provide 10mcm of water for industrial purposes and 27mcm for the domestic use of Amman residents.
Construction of the dam, located between the governorates of Madaba and Karak, is being carried out by a Greek company.
There are eight major dams in the country, with a total capacity of 186mcm.
Jordan relies on this system of dams to store water during the winter rains for later summer consumption. The dams — Talal, Wadi Arab, Sharhabil, Kafrein, Wadi Shueib, Karameh, Tannour and Waleh — are in and around the Jordan Valley. Their reserves serve both domestic and agricultural purposes.
This last winter's rains left nearly 150mcm of water in the Kingdom's dams, compared to some 70mcm during the winter of 2002.
Authorities said they do not expect any water shortages this summer but they are continuing to implement a water rationing system for the entire country, as a precautionary and conservation measure.
Jordan is ranked as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world in terms of its water resources.
AMMAN (JT) — The construction of a new dam capable of storing 37 million cubic metres (mcm) of water is expected to be completed in September, a senior government official said Saturday.
Jordan Valley Authority Secretary General Zafer Alem said the Mujeb Dam would provide 10mcm of water for industrial purposes and 27mcm for the domestic use of Amman residents.
Construction of the dam, located between the governorates of Madaba and Karak, is being carried out by a Greek company.
There are eight major dams in the country, with a total capacity of 186mcm.
Jordan relies on this system of dams to store water during the winter rains for later summer consumption. The dams — Talal, Wadi Arab, Sharhabil, Kafrein, Wadi Shueib, Karameh, Tannour and Waleh — are in and around the Jordan Valley. Their reserves serve both domestic and agricultural purposes.
This last winter's rains left nearly 150mcm of water in the Kingdom's dams, compared to some 70mcm during the winter of 2002.
Authorities said they do not expect any water shortages this summer but they are continuing to implement a water rationing system for the entire country, as a precautionary and conservation measure.
Jordan is ranked as one of the 10 poorest countries in the world in terms of its water resources.
© Jordan Times 2003
