King opens Wadi Al Arab System II water conveyance project

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday inaugurated Wadi Al Arab System II water conveyance project in Manshiyeh, in Northern Shuneh, which aims to improve water supply for nearly 1.1 million people in the northern governorates. 

The project directly serves the districts of Central Irbid, Bani Obeid, and Taibeh, in addition to areas in Bani Kinanah, benefiting around 800,000 people, while indirectly improving the water share of nearly 300,000 people in other northern governorates through better allocation of water resources, according to a Royal Court statement. 

At the inauguration ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, King Abdullah was briefed on the project by Water Minister Motasem Saidan, who said water for the project will be sourced from the King Abdullah Canal. 

The project cost $129.3 million, and was financed through a number of loans and a €13.75 million ($15.5 million) European Investment Bank grant. 

Project implementation continued despite the conditions imposed by COVID-19, with the aim of alleviating water shortages in the northern governorates, especially Irbid. 

In its first year, the project will produce 10mcm of water, which would gradually increase to 15-20mcm in the second year, and later up to its maximum capacity of 30mcm, which covers 60 per cent of target areas’ potable water needs.