Jordan: call for expertise in wastewater management

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched an invitation for expressions of interest for a municipal and environmental infrastructure project in the field of water in East Zarqa in Jordan, according to a press release issued on Thursday 25 February 2016. This project is funded by the bank from its own resources (multi-account SEMED, South and East Mediterranean). A loan was provided, “of up to US$ 14 million and a grant of US$ 5.5 million to the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) to construct a wastewater pipeline and carry out an urgently needed upgrade of the sewerage network in order to increase its capacity”, the EBRD said. “Jordan is one of the driest countries in the world. Water shortages are exacerbated by climate change. The influx of Syrian refugees (1.4 million which equals almost 20 per cent of Jordan’s total population) is putting further strain on basic water and wastewater services”, the bank underlined.