Scenarios for Public-Private Partnerships in Water Management: A Case Study from Jordan

The aim of this paper is to document the experience of public-private partnership (PPP) in the management of the domestic water sector in Amman city, Jordan. It also intends to reflect on the transformations in water management after the introduction of PPP using metaphors from ecology. Scenarios for water management are developed and assessed based on financial viability and political feasibility. Four scenarios for sustainable water development in Amman city are developed under two major drivers, i.e. importance and uncertainty. The scenarios developed in this paper are intended to illuminate possible ways that could affect the future of PPP for domestic water in Jordan. Based on document analysis, observations and lessons learned from ecology, scenarios for water management are developed. The process of building scenarios involves a number of steps, which include: (1) identification of focal issues and key decisions; (2) identification of key factors in the local environment; (3) listing and ranking driving forces by importance and uncertainty; (4) ranking driving forces by importance and uncertainty; and (5) considering implications. The outcomes under each critical uncertainty are assessed. Combinations of these outcomes will determine the general characteristics of each scenario. Lessons learned from the evolution of living organisms in nature, i.e. from innovation, growth, improvement and release, were utilized to characterize the water sector in Amman city after the introduction of PPP.     

Evaluation of Fog Collection in Jordan

Water-supply augmentation along with supply and demand management in Jordan have been considered to meet the water demand. This paper evaluates the feasibility of fog collection in Jordan using various low-cost materials. Experiments were conducted using four standard fog collectors with different local materials. An analysis of fog-collection effectiveness was carried out and compared with international experience, and showed that local sacking material was the most effective. Recommendations for applying this technique are outlined.     

An Analysis of Future Water Policies in Jordan Using Decision Support Systems

Despite looming water shortages in Jordan, the country lacks a coherent water policy and has no recognized institutional mechan ism to create one. D urin g the last 30 years, this critical problem has largely been addressed by physical infrastructu re developm ent in the public sector and grou ndwater exploitation in the private. These efforts are not meeting the increasing dem ands of all competing sectors. This paper analyses possible future water policies in Jordan using decision support system s. An analytical hierarchy process is used to break policies in to compon ent parts, then synthesize and an alyse them in the context of constraints and scenarios in Jordan for the year 2010. The paper argues that Jordan mu st give priority to the efficient m anagement of water resources at the regional level. This includes institutional restructuring, new water pricing strategies, importation of water, and water desalination.     

Rehabilitation of Irrigation Distribution Systems: The Case of Jericho City

Efficiency enhancement in irrigation distribution system (IDS) contributes to substantial water savings. This paper aims to present the methodology and lessons learned from efforts to improve efficiency in the irrigation distribution system of Jericho City. This effort presents a new paradigm in water management in water scarce countries, which focuses on both supply and demand management rather than on supply augmentation. Converting the existing irrigation canal system to a pressurized pipe network carries out rehabilitation of IDS in Jericho City. Analysis of the new IDS is performed through computer simulation. Considerations and constraints for sustainable irrigation management are presented.     

Expert computer knowledge-based methodology using fuzzy sets for evaluating water conservation programs in Jordan

This paper aims to devise a new methodology for evaluating water conservation programs based on expert computer knowledge-based systems and fuzzy set analyses. Computer-programmed surveys were carried out on a random sample of water users in Amman City, Jordan, before and after they received water educational material. Relative weights were given for each response and a cumulative grade was estimated. The follow-up surveys reveal that a reasonable rise of water-related knowledge is achieved after respondents are exposed to water educational material. Fuzzy set analyses reveal that some fluctuations in the relative rise of public awareness programs may be attributed to insufficient knowledge. The fuzzy set logic technique enabled us to condense a great many data into a small set of variable rules. This in turn made our expert system effective in evaluating water conservation programs. Electronic Publication     

Greywater Reuse in Urban Agriculture for Poverty Alleviation

Abstract

Although Jordan has a human development index higher than most developing countries, about seven percent of its population earns less than the international poverty line of one dollar (US$) a day. Furthermore, because of its scarce water resources and rapidly growing population, the poor, who are increasingly moving to cities, face growing food and water insecurity. This paper describes a pilot project that allowed the poor in Tufileh, Jordan, to reuse untreated household greywater in home gardens. The women of the community used small revolving loans to implement simple greywater recovery systems and set-up gardens. The project allowed the community to offset food purchases and generate income by selling surplus production, saving or earning an average of 10 percent of its income. Had the households used municipal sources for this supplemental irrigation, on average, they would have used 15 percent more water and had 27 percent higher water bills. Moreover, the project helped community members gain valuable gardening, irrigation, and food preservation skills. Women on the project report feeling more independent and proud because of the income they generated, the skills that they gained, and their enhanced ability to feed their families. An environmental impact assessment demonstrated that the quality of the untreated greywater was adequate, and the negative impacts on soil and crops were negligible. Nevertheless, this could change if greater volumes of greywater are reused. A follow-up project will increase greywater recovery, pilot simple treatment devices, and improve gardening practices and production.     

Evaluating Water-Importation Options in Jordan: Opportunities and Constraints

The future management and development of water in Jordan presents a challenge for decision makers and water-sector planners. The gap between the available water supply and demand has opened in the agricultural and domestic sectors and is likely to widen unless adequate measures are taken. Water importation for Jordan is a sound future option in water-resources planning. The options are (a) the Peace pipeline from Turkey, (b) the Litani River pipeline, (c) the Euphrates River pipeline, and (d) a pipeline from Egypt. An analysis and evaluation of the options reveals that the most viable scheme is the Litani River, followed by the Peace pipeline from Turkey.     

Fuzzy sets analysis for leak detection in infrastructure systems: a proposed methodology

This paper aims to propose a methodology for detecting problems in environmental and infrastructure systems using a fuzzy set technique. The proposed methodology was applied to a case study in water distribution systems for validation. Relative weights for three scenarios of leak detection were used, i.e. leakage, possible leakage, and no leakage. The study reveals that the major factors that affect leakage are: pipe age, pipe material, operational aspects, and demand patterns.