1. Participatory Planning
Case Study:
Jordan
Amman-Zarqa Basin

2. Amman-Zarqa Basin, Jordan

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

4. 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

5. Groundwater table decline

6. 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

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

8. Stakeholders discussions

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

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

11. 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

12. 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%)

13. 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

14. 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