optimizationforsustainablewaterresources.docVIP

Optimization ? for Sustainable Water Resources Management (OPTIMA) First Stakeholder Workshop May 16, 2006 University of Jordan Introduction The Zarqa river basin is considered the most important basin in Jordan because about 50% of the population of the country reside on it. The basin hosts about 70% of the industrial activities and has witnessed a sudden expansion in urban development such as building, roads, new universities, scattered urban centers and other infrastructure. Agricultural areas (irrigated) are concentrated around groundwater wells and along the side beds of the river while rainfed agriculture can be found in high rainfall areas. The rest of the basin is scattered vegetative areas used for grazing, bare and rocky areas and forests. As a result of the unplanned and uncontrolled activities, the basin now is facing many environmental problems such as land degradation and desertification, mining and salination of ground water, reduced base flow and deforestation processes. A large wastewater treatment plant with an effluent volume of 65 MCM is situated at the upper part of the basin serving the two major cities of Amman and Zarqa and the surroundings. The effluent of this plant discharges to the main river contributing to about 50% of its annual yield. Because of its importance, the basin has gone under different studies by local and international organizations as well as the interest of many agencies from donating countries such as USAID, EU, JICA and GTZ. Until recently, most of the studies were technically based and have not considered the socio-economic factors nor did they involve the concerned stakeholders. Although, there are many conflicts among different stakeholders, they have never met to discuss common issues. There is also conflict in mandates and practices between government agencies like Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment. There are bodies who pollute the water resources like the