Zarqa, May 4 (PETRA) – Nidal Shdifat – A research team comprising academics and experts from Jordanian universities and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, with support from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, is working on a national project aimed at identifying deep groundwater resources in the Kingdom. The initiative seeks to enhance the sustainability of water resources and address the increasing challenges posed by water scarcity.
The team includes Dr. Eid Al-Tarazi and Engineer Jaafar Abu Rajab from Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, Dr. Hani Al-Amoush from Al al-Bayt University, Dr. Mohammad Al-Farajat from Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, and Dr. Mona Dahabiyeh from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.
The project focuses on locating groundwater at depths exceeding 1,000 meters below the surface and analyzing its characteristics, quantity, and quality to evaluate its potential for sustainable utilization. This effort supports the Ministry’s strategic plans for comprehensive water resource management.
Project officials explained that the work relies on advanced geophysical surveys to identify water-bearing strata, sample analyses, technical and environmental feasibility studies, and the development of hydrogeological models to accurately estimate water reserves. These methodologies enhance the reliability and practical applicability of the results.
The initiative comes at a time when Jordan is classified among the most water-poor countries globally, amid growing water demand driven by population growth and climate change.
The project’s outputs are expected to provide new water sources for domestic and agricultural consumption, support development projects in remote areas, and ensure long-term water security.
Dr. Eid Al-Tarazi, a team member, told the Jordan News Agency (PETRA) that the project targets depths of up to 1,000 meters in the Wadi Araba region. He noted that “the equipment used for the surveys is the only one of its kind in Jordan, and preliminary results have shown promising indicators.”
He added that the team is working in close coordination with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. Comprehensive surveys covering northern, central, and southern Wadi Araba, as well as the northern areas of Aqaba extending toward the airport and the potash factory zones, will commence after Eid al-Adha.
Al-Tarazi indicated that data collection is expected to be completed in the coming months, after which subsurface geological models will be developed to determine the location, quantity, and quality of groundwater. These findings will then be submitted to the relevant authorities in final reports.
The team emphasized its readiness to collaborate with universities and research institutions to expand the scope of the studies, noting that the continuity of the project requires financial support to cover the costs of personnel and specialized equipment.
The project underscores the importance of establishing sustainable water policies based on long-term planning to meet climatic and demographic challenges, thereby strengthening national efforts to ensure the right of present and future generations to safe water resources.
This initiative represents a proactive step in Jordan’s journey toward achieving water security by leveraging scientific research to address vital national issues.
—(PETRA)
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