Jordan Environment Watch: Water management

Tackling the root causes of pollution in Jordan's Zarqa River

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:57:00 GMT

A new effort by the Ministry of Environment in Jordan will be initiated with the purpose of launching a long term plan for tackling and stopping the main root causes of pollution in Zarqa River. This is a report from IRIN AMMAN, 21 August 2008 (IRIN) - A team of local and international environmentalists is to conduct a six-month study of the polluted channel (known as `Saeil'), which cuts... [read more]

Yemen Confused between Water and Qat

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 14:25:17 GMT

Another alarming portrait of the water situation from yemen. This time published by Los Angeles Times By Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer August 3, 2008 BEIT HUJAIRA, YEMEN -- Across the countryside of this nation on the heel of the Arabian Peninsula, the pumps and drills roar. Wildcatters bore as much as 1,000 feet into the earth and draw out the valuable liquid. They pump... [read more]

UAE academy to tackle regional water shortages

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:49:58 GMT

Another welcomed research institutions focusing on developing technological solutions to the region's water problems is established. We hope to see a highly professional crop of water specialists that can serve tackle the most important challenge in the region. This is a report by Wagdy Sawahel published by Science DevNet Wagdy Sawahel The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched... [read more]

World Bank: There are alternatives for the Red-Dead

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:01:12 GMT

While still supporting the socio-economic and environmental impact assessment studies for the proposed Red-Dead seas canal, the World Bank suggests that the canal is not the only option for saving the Dead Sea from gradual evaporation and decrease in sea level. This news feature from the Jordan Times sheds more light on the subject By Mohammad Ghazal Jordan Times 28 July 2008 AMMAN... [read more]

Disi Project to be launched in August: This time is for real?

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 10:33:55 GMT

Maybe we still need to wait for seven days to make sure, but according to official statements by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Jordan, work on the long awaited Disi Conveyor Project will finally start on August 3rd. After so much confusion and delays I hope you will appreciate that I will not be convinced until the bulldozers start moving. This is a feature by the Jordan Times published... [read more]

Mideast Facing Choice Between Crops and Water

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:41:01 GMT

Another alarming article published by the New York Times (July 21st) about the precarious effects of the combined water and food problems in the Middle East. By Andrew Martin Global food shortages have placed the Middle East and North Africa in a quandary, as they are forced to choose between growing more crops to feed an expanding population or preserving their already scant supply... [read more]

Jordan: The Costs of being a Banana Country!

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:36:00 GMT

This is a well researched and balanced feature from the Jordan Times about one of the most chronic patterns of water mis-management in Jordan. Social considerations, however are still used to cover up a system of unsustainable water utilization by a strong lobby of farmers. By Taylor Luck Jordan Times July 25th 2008 AMMAN - Domestically produced bananas cost the Kingdom... [read more]

Jordan Putting the Water Challenge on the Agenda of Mediterranean Union summit

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:13:51 GMT

Jordan is still marching on to a dismal potential fate of thirst and in need for positive breakthroughs in water demand management. A new essay by the Oxford Business Group explains more. Jordan's Prime Minister Nader Al Dahabi was in Paris last week for the inaugural Mediterranean Union summit, where he took the opportunity to highlight the problem of water supply in the Middle East. In an... [read more]

Abu Dhabi’s water conservation plans

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:28:00 GMT

Source: The National Vesela Todorova Abu Dhabi, which has the highest water consumption rate in the world, is planning to slash consumption and focus on conservation. Residents used an average of 550 litres of water a day compared with 85 litres in Jordan, a country with a similar climate, said Dr Mohammed Dawoud, manager of the water resources department at the Environment Agency – Abu... [read more]

The Cradle of Civilisation Issue Drought Warning

Mon, 26 May 2008 01:28:02 GMT

How disappointing and sad it is to see a country that is rich in water resources having two rivers (Tigris-Euphrates) passing through the country and being the cradle of irrigation face water shortage. Another drastic impact of the chaos caused by the US invasion of Iraq. This is a report from IRIN news Iraq is suffering from water shortages that could lead to widespread drought as a result... [read more]

WEF 2008 Scenarios: How Much Water do You Eat?

Wed, 21 May 2008 00:47:10 GMT

This is the summary of scenario session on water scarcity in relation to food (in)security which was held in WEF MENA 2008. Fahd Bin Abdulrahman Bin Sulaiman Balghunaim • E. Neville Isdell • Mahmoud Safwat Mohieldin •Raed Abu Al Saud • Mahmoud Abu Zeid Opening Remarks: • H.R.H. Prince Turki Bin Talal Al Saud Moderator: • Margaret Catley-Carlson In the Sustainable World, water scarcity,... [read more]

Groundwater in Jordan in Alarming Condition

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:24:00 GMT

Source: Jordan Times By: Hana Namrouqa The Kingdom’s underground water situation is alarming, a prominent water expert said on Wednesday. Elias Salameh, a professor specialised in the topic at the University of Jordan, said both the quality and quantity of the Kingdom’s water in aquifers are declining, pinning blame on overpumping and the meagre rainfall during the winter. Excessive... [read more]

Source of Nile Privatized

Mon, 05 May 2008 01:36:00 GMT

AEW- compiled from different news In an amazing example of privatization of natural resources, news leaked from Uganda state that the source of the Nile River has fallen into the hand on an investor. According to a news article published at Allafrica website the Jinja District Land Board has given away the ownership of the land in the source of Nile to investment. Details are still scanty but... [read more]

The Right to Water in Jordan

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:54:12 GMT

Two weeks ago a statement by the Minister of Water and Irrigation caused havoc in the Jordanian society. By declaring that the government is "discussing" the option of increasing the prices for domestic water, the Jordanian consumer was hit with fear of yet another increase in the price of basic commodities. Indeed the threat of increasing the price of water is linked to a possible reduction in the... [read more]

Africa's largest seawater desalination plant established in Algeria

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:11:30 GMT

Press release Feb 24, 2008 A persistent shortage of potable water in the City of Algiers, Algeria was eased today as the US $250 million Hamma Seawater Desalination Plant (SWDP) was officially opened by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Jeff Garwood president and CEO, GE Water Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Completed on time and on budget... [read more]

Darfur Groundwater discovered by remote sensing

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:59:30 GMT

Renound Egyptian scientist Dr. farouq Al Baz has acheived a remarkable discovery few weeks ago by specifying the location of groundwater wells in the war torn area of Darfur. Will this discovery bring the people in the area closer to peace and development or it will increase the intensity of the conflict. This is a thorough report from the Christian Science Monitor Farouk el-Baz has been peering... [read more]

Nominations Open for Prince Sultan International Prize for Water

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:07:00 GMT

The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water has announced the submission of applications and enteries for the current round with an application deadline of end of December 2007. This prestigious International Prize consists of five different awards in separate fields of water resources: - Surface Water: Topic – Sedimentation Control in Surface Water Systems - Ground Water:... [read more]

Arabs go Nuclear to Desalinate Water

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 16:12:00 GMT

It has spread like a contagious disease in the last few months, where many Arab countries are planning to introduce nuclear energy to drive the ever increasing thurst for water by desalination. Many oil producing and energy poor countries alike are putting together ambitious plan to go to the nuclear alternative either to produce enough electricity or water. This report from United Press International... [read more]

Pricing of Domestice Water in Jordan

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 15:37:00 GMT

By: Batir Wardam With a water per capita share of 160 cubic meters per year, Jordan is among the world's top 10 water scarce countries. The struggle to provide adequate and clean water resources is one of the biggest developmental challenges in Jordan. At the center of the debate about water management is the issue of water pricing and valuation. Although the infrastructure of water supply... [read more]

Petra and Nabatean Water Management System

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:49:00 GMT

The majestic city of Petra has won its righteous place in the World New Seven Wonders. Regardless of UNESCO's reservations, the voting process represented a "global collective approach" of cultural diversity that was made by people and public participation. Petra's uniquness was decribed by the New 7 wonders committee as a symbol of "engineering and protection". One of the most amazing achievements... [read more]

Algeria: Environmentalists urge gov’t to protect wetland

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 02:06:00 GMT

Source: Reuters June 18 2007 By Bonny Apunyu Algerian environmentalists on Sunday urged the Algerian government to protect a major Mediterranean wetland threatened by the construction of a $11-billion (around R78.1-billion) highway seen by the authorities as key to boosting Maghreb trade. news sources said the environmentalists warned in a petition to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika... [read more]

Tannoura, Deceived by Politicians, Saved by Greywater

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 01:54:00 GMT

Source: Environment & Development Magazine By: Nadine Haddad El-Hajj & Lea Kai Have you ever heard of A Town where the public phone booth was installed before people received water to their houses? No, it is not a scene from one of those back-to-past movies, where the hero goes back to the Middle Ages with a piece of technology from the 21st century; it is the true story of the suffering... [read more]

Nomination is opened for Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:47:00 GMT

Nomination is opened for the 3rd Award 2006-2008 of the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water: This international scientific prize is a significant contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the global water issues which represent one of the most pressing human, economic and political concerns worldwide. The Prize is intended to support water scientific research worldwide... [read more]

Computer-based decision support system for river basin management

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:44:00 GMT

The LIFE-Environment project “A cost-effective decision support system for management of boreal river basins” (LIFE98 ENV/FIN/573) was developed to maintain or improve the clean status of Finnish rivers and to promote ecologically sustainable land-use, develop assessments of river status, and improve environmental awareness of the ecological impacts of land-derived loading on river ecosystems. Known... [read more]

Waqf For Water Video from IUCN WESCANA

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 11:59:00 GMT

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Pilot water-harvesting techniques to be adopted in Jordan

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:48:00 GMT

Source: Jordan Times 7-6-2007 By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN — Demographic changes and migrations have created an imbalance between available water resources and demand, Minister of Water and Irrigation Thafer Alem said on Wednesday. In his remarks at the opening session of a regional forum on local water governance entitled “Water is everybody’s business,” Alem said per capita water supply... [read more]

IUCN advocating markets for watershed services

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:52:00 GMT

The option of developing market mechanisms for water resource management has been advocated by a lot of international development organizations with an economic liberalization state of mind by led by the World Bank and the World Water Council. This approach has been criticised by the other spectrum of development organization with more interest in social democracy, pointing out that this approach... [read more]

Arab States Urged To Upgrade National Standards On Water Use

Tue, 29 May 2007 10:10:00 GMT

Middle East Events 27.5.2007 Arab states were urged to upgrade and develop national standards and specifications for water uses of various kinds including those for the transportation and distribution of water. This came in a set of recommendations made by a two-day workshop on “Integrated Water Resources Management”, organised last week by Environment Centre for Arab Towns (ECAT), Dubai... [read more]

Shobokshi: Avoiding a Water Crisis

Thu, 24 May 2007 15:23:00 GMT

This is an interesting article from the prominant economic columnist Hussein Shobakshi at Al-Sharq Al-Awsat. I just love it when economic analysts show environmental awareness. Avoiding a Water Crisis 19/05/2007 With the growing number of reports and books confirming the words of political experts and strategic analysts that the next war in the Middle East will be fought over water... [read more]

Experts Discuss Local Water Management Options in Jordan

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 00:46:00 GMT

Jordan Times Monday April 16 - 2007 By Mohammad Ben Hussein Water experts on Sunday said the need for better management of water resources has become increasingly important, as the Kingdom continues to suffer from a chronic water shortage. “Jordan still has a long way to go before it can be considered a model for water management,” Regional Monitoring and Support Unit (RMSU) team... [read more]