Jordan to build 195 mile pipeline to transport groundwater supplies
U.S. Water News Online
AMMAN, Jordan -- Jordan has floated a $600 million project to draw water from below the desert's sands for use within the parched kingdom, a Cabinet minister has said.
An international and local operator has been called to build, operate and transfer water from an aquifer in southeastern Jordan for 40 years. After that the aquifer will be handed over to the state.
Jordan is faced with acute water shortages because of a three-year regional drought. The Arab kingdom heavily depends on rain for municipal and drinking needs.
Firms have to submit bids by October 23 to build, operate, and transfer water from the Disi aquifer, said Water and Irrigation Minister Hazem Nasser.
Nasser said a 195-mile long pipeline will be built, stretching from the capital, Amman, to Disi, which lies near the Saudi Arabian border. The pipeline will feed cities and towns along its path. Pumping and flow control stations will also be built.
Jordan will spend $200 million on the two-year project, Nasser said. A firm will soon be established to offer equity shares for the remaining $400 million. The state-run Social Security Corp. will hold 25 percent of the remaining shares, while the rest is expected to be owned by international and local firms.
Libya and Iran have shown interest to provide technical expertise and low-cost plastic pipelines for the project.
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