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JICA Signs Grant Agreement for Water Supply Improvement in Jordan
Tokyo, February 26, 2025 (01:14 JST) – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced today the signing of a grant agreement with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to provide grant aid for improving water supply services. The agreement focuses on the introduction of advanced water supply control systems, aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce water loss, and ensure a more reliable water supply for the Jordanian population. The project is expected to contribute significantly to Jordan’s efforts to address its pressing water scarcity challenges.
Project Overview:
The grant aid will be utilized to finance the procurement and installation of sophisticated water supply control systems. These systems are likely to include:
- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems: These systems provide real-time monitoring and control of water networks, allowing operators to quickly identify and address leaks, bursts, and other operational issues. SCADA helps optimize water distribution, reduce energy consumption, and improve overall system efficiency.
- Leak Detection Equipment: Advanced leak detection technologies will be deployed to identify and repair leaks in water pipelines, minimizing water loss. This includes acoustic sensors, pressure sensors, and potentially, satellite-based leak detection methods.
- Water Metering Infrastructure Upgrade: Upgrading or replacing outdated water meters with smart meters will improve accuracy in measuring water consumption, reduce non-revenue water (NRW), and enable more equitable billing practices. Smart meters can also provide valuable data for analyzing consumption patterns and identifying areas where water conservation efforts are most needed.
- Network Modeling and Simulation Software: This allows for predictive analysis of water flow and pressure within the system, enabling proactive management and optimized investment in infrastructure upgrades.
- Training and Capacity Building: A crucial component of the project is providing training to Jordanian water utility staff on the operation and maintenance of the new systems. This ensures the long-term sustainability of the project’s benefits.
Rationale and Context:
Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. Its limited water resources are under increasing strain due to a combination of factors, including:
- Arid Climate: The country’s predominantly desert climate results in low rainfall and high evaporation rates.
- Population Growth: Rapid population growth, including a significant influx of refugees from neighboring countries, has increased demand for water.
- Inefficient Water Management: Outdated infrastructure, high levels of water leakage, and inefficient irrigation practices contribute to water scarcity.
- Climate Change: Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity through increased temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent droughts.
Addressing these challenges is a top priority for the Jordanian government. Improving water management is crucial for ensuring the country’s long-term economic stability, social well-being, and environmental sustainability.
Expected Outcomes and Impact:
The project is expected to yield several significant benefits, including:
- Reduced Water Loss: By detecting and repairing leaks, and by improving monitoring and control of the water network, the project will help reduce non-revenue water (NRW), which is a major source of water loss in Jordan.
- Improved Water Supply Reliability: The new control systems will enable more efficient and reliable water distribution, ensuring that households and businesses have access to a consistent water supply.
- Enhanced Water Management Capacity: Training and capacity building will strengthen the ability of Jordanian water utility staff to manage and maintain the water infrastructure effectively.
- Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The project directly contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by improving water resource management and access to safe and affordable drinking water. It also contributes indirectly to other SDGs, such as SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
- Strengthened Bilateral Relations: This grant agreement further strengthens the strong and long-standing bilateral relationship between Japan and Jordan. Japan has been a consistent supporter of Jordan’s development efforts, particularly in the water sector.
JICA’s Commitment:
JICA is committed to supporting Jordan’s efforts to achieve sustainable water management. This grant agreement is part of a broader package of Japanese assistance to the water sector in Jordan, which includes technical cooperation, concessional loans, and grant aid. JICA will continue to work closely with the Jordanian government and other development partners to address the country’s water challenges.
Next Steps:
Following the signing of the grant agreement, JICA will work with the Jordanian government to finalize the project implementation plan and initiate the procurement process. It is anticipated that the project will be implemented over the next few years. The successful completion of this project will be a significant step forward in ensuring a secure and sustainable water future for Jordan.
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国際協力機構 a new article on 2025-02-26 01:14 titled “ヨルダン向け無償資金協力贈与契約の締結：給水制御システムの導入等を通して、給水サービスの改善を支援”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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