The European Commission approved g5 million to support the water sector in Jordan by improving management, reducing water losses and substantially upgrading the quality of water services throughout the Kingdom.
Work will now proceed between the European Commission Delegation (ECD) in Amman and the authorities to define in detail the measures to be supported by the funding, an ECD statement said on 14 Apr 2004.
This decision brings current EU assistance to the Kingdom's water sector to around g40 million. In early March 2004, the EU and Jordan signed a g2 million agreement to support the Programme Management Unit at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. The agreement extended a 2000 deal under which the EU allocated g5 million to the unit.
By the end of 2004, a g13.75 million water intervention project to support the government's efforts in improving and rationalising water resources, rehabilitate water supply and sewage systems and increase domestic watersupply, will be completed.
The construction of a pipeline, pumping stations, reservoirs, and bore holes to provide potable water to Tafileh has already been completed for g8.2 million.
An EU-financed water project in Karak (g3.8 million) was also completed, while water projects in Kufranje (g655,000) and Mutah (g715,000) are proceeding.
In the Greater Amman area, EU assistance will contribute to executing a large-scale restructuring and rehabilitation project for the capital's water network, in addition to monitoring water and wastewater services in Amman, Aqaba and the northern governorates. EU funds will also contribute to the implementation of the Al Samra wastewater treatment plant and the Disi project.
