Sanitation Solutions for Underserved Communities in Jordan

Project completed

The amount of water available from conventional sources in Jordan is decreasing dangerously, the population is increasing constantly and additional sources are needed urgently. By using treated wastewater as an alternative resource Jordan could reduce its dependence on fresh water. Proven Swiss expertise in the sanitation sector aims at increasing the efficiency of wastewater treatment systems and on turning wastewater streams into physical and financial resources. This will not only provide additional water but also reduce health risks and protect groundwater.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Jordan
Water
nothemedefined
Water sanitation
Water supply
Water sector policy
01.07.2017 - 31.01.2023
CHF  4’980’000
Background

Jordan suffers from a critical to severe shortage of water and meeting public demand has become a source of national concern. In addition, in most small towns and villages, households are not connected to Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and raw sewage flows into leaking soak pits and then into the ground, thereby polluting groundwater and threatening public health through the spread of waterborne diseases.

To meet the ever-increasing demand for water and to reduce environmental and health risks, Sustainable Sanitation Solutions (SSS) using treated wastewater as a non-conventional water resource for irrigation need to be considered.

Jordan’s Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MoWI) is currently developing action plans and policies to optimize scarce water resources management and there is political willingness to develop the reuse of treated wastewater.

Objectives Safe treated waste water is available for agriculture in Azraq, and public awareness of Sustainable Sanitation Solutions is increased, leading to better living conditions and strengthening the resilience of Azraq community.
Target groups

Public authorities:

  • Azraq Municipality and community members.
  • Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MoWI).
  • Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ).

Local community:

  • Azraq community as a whole.
  • Local farmers.

NGOs and CBOs:

  • Women and Women’s associations.
  • Water Users / Farmers Associations.
  • Youth associations.

Private sector

Academic Institutions and water experts

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1:

Treated Waste Water (TWW) and Treated Faecal Sludge (TFS) can either be used in agriculture in compliance with Jordanian standards or safely disposed.

Outcome 2:

Azraq community is aware of the benefits and economic opportunities of using TWW and TFS (bio-solids) and has an increased willingness to pay for WWT and FSM.

Outcome 3:

Communities and local public authorities beyond Azraq are engaged actively in implementing innovative and sustainable WWT and FSM solutions.

Results

Expected results:  

  1. Functional infrastructure for the collection and treatment of wastewater and the disposal/distribution of treated wastewater has been developed.
  2. Feasible operational and business models have been set up for the provision of affordable treated wastewater for irrigation.
  3. Practical tools, awareness-raising materials and knowledge-transfer modules for the replication of the project’s approach are available to other interested communities and stakeholders.


Results from previous phases:  

  • Detailed context analysis has been conducted at national, and local levels.
  • Azraq has been identified as target community for the project.
  • An MoU has been signed with Azraq Municipality.
  • Three communities have been identified as fall-back options for the planned Implementation Phase 1).
  • A Technical Steering Committee (TSC) made up of representatives of key stakeholders to steer the planned phase has been identified.
  • A concept for an integrated, biological solution has been developed that will enhance Waste Water Treatment (WWT) and Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) in Azraq.


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International or foreign NGO
  • Other international or foreign NGO North


Other partners
  • Future Pioneers for Empowering Communities (FPEC).
  • Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ).
  • National and International consultants.
  • Consul Aqua (Hamburg).
Coordination with other projects and actors
  • Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) – MENA.
  • National Implementation Committee for Effective Integrated Wastewater Management in Jordan (NICE).
  • Decentralized Wastewater Management for Adaptation to Climate Change (ACC Project) – GIZ.
  • Ongoing sanitation projects of the Jordanian Royal Scientific Society (RSS).
  • Ongoing research projects of the National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension (NCARE).
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’980’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    3’483’297
Project phases Phase 2 01.06.2023 - 31.05.2026   (Current phase)

Phase 1 01.07.2017 - 31.01.2023   (Completed)