Rainwater Harvesting 3R’s Practices and Policy Dialogue in Jordan

The Design and Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting 3Rs Practices and Policy Dialogue in Jordan, or in other words "Water Harvesting in Jordan: Reality and Challenges" project, conducted as part of the National Dialogue Project for Water Harvesting in Jordan 3Rs (Flood Risk Reduction, Groundwater Recharge - Reuse), is a collaborative effort aimed at addressing water-related issues in the cities of the northern region of the Kingdom of Jordan. This initiative is undertaken in partnership with ACACIA-water, IHE-Delft University in the Netherlands, and key Jordanian ministries, namely the Ministries of Agriculture, Water and Irrigation. The project receives funding support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The project is driven by a scoping study funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Amman. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands mandated the consortium of Institutes consisting of INWRDAM, Acacia Waters and UNESCO IHE Delft to implement and execute the elements described herein. The main project objective is to enhance the importance of water harvesting through demand -driven policy support complemented by capacity building actions, as a sustainable approach to enhancing the resilience of communities and ground water ecosystems most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and population growth in Jordan. Particularly, the project targets the Northern region of Jordan (Azraq, Mafraq, and North Jordan Valley) for their heightened vulnerability to current and future climate impacts, including human security risk.

Key Actions

1. Initiation of a national water harvesting (3Rs) evidence – based policy dialogue with the aim of supporting relevant legislation and regulation.

2.  Implementation of water harvesting sites, smart farms, and monitoring practices.

3. Capacity building of MWI staff, local communities, and other key local stakeholders in the knowledge and skills around water harvesting practices.

4. Promotion of the key learnings and success stories gained from water harvesting interventions, using tools such as a Media LAB.

Sustainability of the 3Rs Project Intervention

To ensure the sustainability of the project and prevent soil erosion, a comprehensive study was conducted on the watershed that feeds into the University of Jordan site. Based on this study, multiple interventions were designed to mitigate soil erosion and channel water into reservoirs constructed within the site.

We are delighted to announce the commencement of preparations for the establishment of a natural laboratory for water harvesting operations at the University of Jordan's Dryland Research Station in Muwaqqar, as part of the activities of the National Dialogue Project for Water Harvesting, spearheaded by the Islamic Network for Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM). This project serves as a nexus between scientific research and development initiatives, utilizing a designated 2000-dunum site for a range of agricultural experiments employing water harvesting techniques.

Specifically, the project will utilize the "Valerani" machine, specialized in creating precise water basins, to efficiently collect rainwater through slopes, thereby facilitating a high-level water harvest. Additionally, the project encompasses the rehabilitation of existing Hafirs and various other operations aimed at enhancing environmental biodiversity and promoting sustainable utilization of natural resources. Collaboration between INWRDAM and the University of Jordan will ensure the cultivation of native plants, further contributing to the site's ecological richness.

Through this initiative, the University of Jordan's research station will serve as a comprehensive scientific hub equipped with state-of-the-art climate sensors and wireless soil moisture sensors, enabling researchers and students to conduct high-quality scientific research and training in the field of water harvesting. This endeavor underscores our commitment to sustainable land management and environmental conservation.

The Key Outputs of the Project

Component 1: Sustainable Agricultural Development near Sama Al Sarhan Dam

In response to the vision for economic revitalization and in alignment with royal directives to transform agricultural approaches towards sustainability and reduced water usage, the project endeavors to establish a developmental agricultural project near the Sama Al Sarhan Dam. This initiative aims to serve the local community, particularly unemployed youth, utilizing the dam's water resources that have been underutilized for over 60 years due to evaporation. Amidst hundreds of unemployed youth in the region, the project's final plans include establishing 50 hydroponic or water-based agricultural units, with the potential for future expansion to over 100 units. Each unit will be allocated to a young man or woman from the local community, providing a monthly income of around 300 Jordanian Dinars in exchange for less than 3 hours of work per day. The project's irrigation will rely entirely on harvested high-quality rainwater from the area, following an increase in the dam's capacity by 100,000 cubic meters. Employing water-efficient techniques, the project's daily water consumption totals only 50 cubic meters, equating to 1 cubic meter per agricultural unit. Fully operated by solar energy, the project underscores the interconnectedness of water, energy, and food in combating poverty and unemployment. Additionally, the project is equipped with automated and intelligent irrigation and fertilization systems, ensuring a safe working environment for employees.

Add hyperlink to the interactive map.

Implemented in Five Locations: Site 1- Al Mafraq-Sama Alsarhan, Site2-Al Mwaqar, Site3-Al Mafraq -Rehab, Site 4- Al Azraq-Wadi Al Ratami, and Site 5- Jordan Valley.

Component 2:  Flood Mitigation and Groundwater Recharge in Azraq

Located within a rainfall zone of 160mm/year, the University of Jordan's Azraq site spans 2000 dunams and has faced challenges from climate change and soil erosion over the past four decades. In collaboration with the University's Faculty of Agriculture, the project aims to revive this site into a natural laboratory and research station for water harvesting and soil conservation. Currently undergoing rehabilitation, the project includes expanding the capacity of existing groundwater recharge systems by over 100,000 cubic meters, alongside the restoration of contour lines known as "Valerani" for cultivating and propagating indigenous plant species. These efforts, in conjunction with rehabilitation of existing Hafirs, are geared towards enhancing environmental biodiversity and ensuring sustainable utilization of natural resources. Through this project, the site will serve as a comprehensive scientific hub equipped with state-of-the-art climate sensors and wireless soil moisture sensors, providing valuable data for research, development, and training purposes, particularly benefiting students from agricultural and environmental sciences faculties across more than 10 universities in Jordan.

Component 2-Capacity Building

• Awareness Campaign
• Environmental journalism training
• IHE-Training
• Drafting the women and youth empowerment strategy in water harvesting sector in Jordan(workshop)

Component 3-3Rs Policy Dialogue (add to the news, with hyperlinks n text here)

• 1st water harvesting symposium
• 1St Follow up expertise meeting  ( MoWI)
• 2nd water harvesting symposium
• 2nd Follow up expertise meeting ( MoWI)

National Dialogue #1: 1st water harvesting symposium (6-12-2022)

This symposium invited a wide range of stakeholders (embassies, Donors, high government representatives, policy makers, local communities, academia, private sector, NGOs and others.

The overall goal of this assembly is to initiate component no. 1: Initiate a national water harvesting policy dialogue in Jordan and help define the roadmap and action plan for the sustainable water harvesting sector.

Number of participants: 140

1St Follow up expertise meeting  ( MoWI) 12-6-2023

This follow-up meeting, held six months after the symposium, is to review, monitor, and evaluate updates on the symposium's outcomes. The attendees include a group of experts, WAJ members, and the project's technical team.

2nd water harvesting symposium  ( youth at the heart of water harvesting ) 12-11-2023

INWRDAM implemented the second national symposium of water harvesting under the title of (Youth of the water harvesting heart) where the invitation targeted a wide category of the youth who are influential and interested in the field of water and environment. The symposium was attended by his royal highness prince El Hasan Bin Talal, also the meeting targeted various stakeholders (embassies, Donors, high government representatives, policy makers, local communities, academia, private sector, NGOs and others.

2nd Follow up expertise meeting ( MoWI) 23-7-2024

This follow-up meeting, held six months after the symposium, is to review, monitor, and evaluate updates on the symposium's outcomes. The attendees include a group of experts, WAJ members, and the project's technical team.

Component 3-3Rs Policy Dialogue

·       1st water harvesting symposium

·       1St Follow up expertise meeting  ( MoWI)

·       2nd water harvesting symposium

·       2nd Follow up expertise meeting ( MoWI)

Component 4 – Media Lab

  Achievements of the 3Rs project

·   1.7 Million cubic meter Volume of water harvesting

·   54 permanent Job

·   233 Temporary Job

·   176 Farmers supported

·   500 Student / year involved

·   60 Thousands trees

·   57 Thousand sheep served

·   243 Thousand Tons CO2 saved

·   6500 Inhabitants protected from floods

Awareness Campaign

23 awareness sessions have been implemented, targeting the CBOs, Schools, Municipalities, Youth and ministry of Awqaf where 1,000 people have attended the sessions.

Environmental journalism training

A training program was designed and implemented to build a capacity of 5 females on environmental journalism, the training was led by a trainer who is a specialist on water and environment journalism.

IHE-Delft ( Water Institute ) Training

A professional training program specifically designed for building capacity of the governmental staff on various subjects related to the Rain water harvesting, the targeted audiences include employees of MoWI, MoA, JVA, University of Jordan; INWRDAM, to understand water harvesting processes in Jordan.

Drafting the women and youth empowerment strategy in water harvesting sector in Jordan(workshop)

This meeting aims to formulate a strategic framework for gender and youth empowerment in the water harvesting sector in Jordan. This framework will outline actionable steps to enhance participation, promote equality, and leverage the potential of women and youth to drive sustainable development.