Participatory Planning Case Study: Jordan Amman-Zarqa Basin

Amman-Zarqa Basin, Jordan

Intense groundwater development 1970’s – government launches full-scale agricultural development program 1980’s – market-driven private development Urban development

Intense groundwater development Total abstraction: 145 MCM (1999) Out of which irrigation: 80 MCM Safe Yield: 70 MCM This resulted in: Water shortage and salinity increase Drying up of springs Water quality deterioration Groundwater table decline

Groundwater table decline

Estimate of losses (20 yrs) USD 8.3 M because of higher pumping cost USD 7.1 M because of well deepening USD 25.6 because of abandoning of wells USD 33.0 because of crop losses due to salinity increases

Participatory development groundwater management of options in groundwater management in Amman-Zarqa Basin

Stakeholders discussions

Process Rapid appraisal by team of professionals Field interviews 50% of well-owners Confidence building: Presentation of water overview Offer to measure water quality

Process Individual farmers asked to suggest practical actions Small groups meetings involving community leaders Workshop with various well-owners and community leaders

Outcome (1) Want to reduce irrigation water consumption but without loss of income Want to be better informed on water conservation methods and after-sales services of drip systems Willingness to ‘sell out’ wells against fair compensation Metering is not considered a reliable tool; charging is not accepted

Outcome (2) Support ban on unlicensed drilling Additional water resources Willing to reduce recycled water (50%) Explore local water harvesting or sharing aquifers with Syria Accept idea of Groundwater Managment Consultative Committee (77%)

Follow up Different options: Assessment of legal implications Estimate of impact on abstraction Discussion, workshop and scenario development on: Water management extension services Buy-out of irrigation wells Limiting annual abstraction and/or crop area Exchange of groundwater with recycled waste water Municipal and urban pumping reduction Option 1,3,4, 5 implemented or piloted

Acknowledgement This case study is based on: Mohamed Chebaane, Hazim El-Nasir, Jim Fitch, Amal Hijazi and Amer Jabbarin: ‘Participatory groundwater management in Jordan: development and analysis of option’ (Hydrogeology Journal, 12: 14-32) Pictures were kindly made available by Mohamed Chebaane