Entry from Directory of Selected Jordanian Water-related Projects

TITLE:	Groundwater Basins Monitoring and Protection Project (GWBMPP)
PROBLEM:	Actual groundwater abstraction data for private wells throughout Jordan have been almost non- existent. The majority of wells in Jordan are private wells, consequently, groundwater abstraction data from these wells potentially represent a serious water use data gap in Jordan’s development and evaluation of strategic long-term water resources planning and management options.
OBJECTIVES:	1. Survey groundwater wells in every basin and monitor or determine (estimate) the volume of abstracted water (by type of use); 2. Install water meters on each groundwater production well and monitor groundwater abstraction rates at regular intervals; 3. Protect groundwater basins from pollution and present recommendations to maintain good standard for groundwater quality; 4. Establish a program to ensure that licenses are obtained for new wells and that well drillers are properly licensed; 5. Perform routine field measurements for salinity and static water level in observation wells.
APPROACH:	1. Nine field offices were created throughout Jordan to support the GWBMPP and the work commenced on January 1, 1993. 2. Orientation and training courses were conducted by specialists from WAJ for the GWMPP staff to explain their duties and responsibilities, particularly their field activities. 3. Field surveys were completed for the different types of wells (governmental, agricultural and industrial); 4. The forms and data were carefully checked and the data was entered into a data base created for the project. The data base was based on the UNDP data base administrated by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. 5. The discharge data from wells (groundwater abstraction) was calculated by: a) Number of pumping hours for each well; b) Comparing the discharge with irrigated areas. The accuracy of information depends on the co-operation of the farmers and this was considered in the analysis.
BEGINNING DATE:
ENDING DATE:
COMMENTS ON DATES:
CURRENT PROGRESS OR INTERIM RESULTS:	1. Updating and reviewing data in the computer data base which was collected from the field surveys and monitoring activities. 2. Identify and determine names and wells, which are illegal in Azraq, Hammad and Jafr basins, and refer them to local authorities. 3. Continue with installation of water meters to help restrict amount of groundwater abstracted from each well and calculate the total abstraction from all basins. 4. Use the data from the project to improve the annual water budget year analysis because abstraction data, and the names and identification numbers of wells have become more accurate.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR NAME:	Kheir Al-Hadidi (Dr.)
ADDRESS:	Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) P.O. Box 2412 Amman - Jordan
TELEPHONE:	(+) 962 - 6 - 680100
TELEFAX:	(+) 962 - 6 - 679143
E-MAIL:

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