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

 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 Estimate of losses (20 yrs)

Participatory development 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: 1) Water management extension services 2) Buy-out of irrigation wells 3) Limiting annual abstraction and/or crop area 4) Exchange of groundwater with recycled waste water 5) 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