Facing Water strongScarcitystrong in Jordan Reuse, Demand Reduction,.pdfVIP

International Water Resources Association Water International, Volume 28, Number 2, Pages 209–216, June 2003 Facing Water Scarcity in Jordan Reuse, Demand Reduction, Energy, and Transboundary Approaches to Assure Future Water Supplies Christopher A. Scott, Member IWRA, International Water Management Institute, Hyderabad, India, Hazim El-Naser, Minister of Water and Irrigation, Amman, Jordan, Ross E. Hagan, United States Agency for International Development, Cairo, Egypt, and Amal Hijazi, United States Agency for International Development, Amman, Jordan 3 Abstract: Jordan is extremely water-scarce with just 167 m per capita per year to meet domestic, industrial, agricultural, tourism, and environmental demands. The heavy exploitation of water resources has contributed to declines in the levels of aquifers and the Dead Sea. Rapid growth in demand, particu- larly for higher quality water for domestic, industrial, and tourism uses, is significantly increasing pressure on agricultural and environmental uses of water, both of which must continue to adapt to reduced volumes and lower quality water. The agricultural sector has begun to respond by improving irrigation efficiency and increasing the use of recycled water. Total demand for water still exceeds renewable supplies while inadequate treatment of sewage used for irrigation creates potential environ- mental and health risks and presents agricultural marketing challenges that undermine the competi- tiveness of exports. The adaptive capability of the nat