Radolfzell, 5 February 2019: The Kingdom of Jordan seems like an oasis of stability in a region of conflict. A great challenge for the desert state, however, is the tense water situation. Jordan has welcomed over a million refugees from Syria and Iraq in recent years. With them, the pressure on the already scarce water supplies is increasing. Therefore, the efficient and responsible use of the precious resource water is extremely important for the future development and political stability of the desert state.
Innovative wastewater treatment plants for clean water
The Lake Constance-based Global Nature Fund (GNF) and its Jordanian project partner EcoPeace Middle East in Amman have launched a three-year model project. The aim is to install the first solar park to power a wastewater treatment plant in the municipality of Deir Alla in the Jordan Valley. Sufficiently treated wastewater can significantly ease the precarious water situation in the region. In the catchment area of the wastewater treatment plant, 130,000 people will benefit from the improved condition of the ground and surface water. In addition, a constructed wetland sewage treatment plant, a so-called green filter, will be built in the Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark to purify the wastewater produced in the park and the visitor centre.
Dry river valley
The communities in the Jordan Valley are among the poorest in Jordan and many people have no access to clean water. Far too much of the precious water is taken from the Jordan River, mainly for agricultural irrigation. Inadequately treated wastewater, overflowing septic tanks or illegally disposed wastewater further contaminate groundwater and surface water – a major threat to the environment and the population.
The influx of refugees and global climate change exacerbate this dramatic situation leading to a further shortage of precious water. "The availability of water is one of the greatest challenges Jordan is facing. Solutions are therefore urgently needed," confirms Eshak Al-Guza'a, project leader at EcoPeace Middle East.
With the model project in the Jordan River Valley, GNF wants to contribute to the development of solutions for the dramatic water shortage in one of the world's most arid countries.
Further information:
www.globalnature.org/en/wastewater-treatment-plant-jordan
Global Nature Fund
Global Nature Fund (GNF) is a non-profit, private, independent foundation for the protection of environment and nature. GNF was founded in 1998 and has offices in Radolfzell, Bonn and Berlin, Germany. One of GNF’s core initiatives is the Living Lakes Network – a global network of organisations that champion the protection of lakes and wetlands.
Contact
Global Nature Fund (GNF)
Udo Gattenlöhner, Projectmanager
Fritz Reichle Ring 4
78315 Radolfzell,Germany
Phone: +49 7732 9995 80
E-mail:
gattenloehner@globalnature.org Webpage:
www.globalnature.org EcoPeace Middle East
Eshak Al-Guza'a
Phone: +962 79 22 9070 6
E-mail:
Eshak@EcoPeaceME.org Webpage:
www.ecopeaceme.org