Integrated Water Resources Management in Jordan

Velma Grover (), Abdel Raouf Darwish and Eliza Deutsch
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Velma Grover: McMaster University

No 577, Working Papers from Economic Research Forum

Abstract: Jordan is considered one of the 10 most water stressed countries in the world (Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan, 2009a). Per capita available water is projected to decline from the current low of 145 cubic meters per year to only 90 cubic meters per year by 2025 (Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan, 2009a; World Bank, 1997). In 2007, the deficit between total water supply and demand was 565 million cubic meters (MCM), with increasing water demand projected to exceed water supply by 33 % in 2025 (Haddadin, 2006; Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Jordan, 2009a). The combination of water scarcity and increasing water demand have mounted pressures on non-renewable aquifers in Jordan and intensified its dependence on shared water sources with its neighbors. Securing a reliable supply of water—adequate in quantity and quality—is one of the most challenging issues facing Jordan today. There is a strong belief that no single action can remedy the water shortage but many actions are needed to increase overall water availability so that future water needs can be met. The efficient use and conservation, re-allocation among uses and sectors, and establishment of good water governance are among the measures that could be implemented to reduce the imbalance between demand and supply in Jordan. It is imperative to understand and estimate the relationship between the demand for water in agriculture and the price charged per cubic meter. It is also crucial to estimate the marginal product of this water in different agricultural uses. This paper examines existing water problems in Jordan and makes appropriate recommendations for alleviating some of the ever-increasing gap between water demand and water supply. The paper first examines the availability of water and water uses in Jordan, followed by an analysis of key water issues facing Jordan at present and presents some future options for Jordan, focusing on policy change, particularly through economic approaches. In Jordan, the struggle for water access is an urgent concern, particularly as this struggle has led to violence, and therefore requires immediate action to develop solutions.

Pages: 40
Date: 2010-01-12, Revised 2010-01-12
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