Water shortage in Jordan - Sustainable solutions

The large environmental challenge that Jordan faces today is the scarcity of water. Definitely, water is the significant feature in the population/resource equation where water resources in Jordan are limited and the country's population has continued to rise. A high rate of natural population growth, combined with massive influxes of refugees, has transformed into an imbalance condition between population and water. Jordan's water resources are limited to support population in a sustainable manner. The situation has been intensified by the fact that Jordan shares most of its surface water resources with neighboring countries: their control on water has partially disallowed Jordan of its fair share of water. Current use of water already exceeds its renewable supply. The deficit is covered by the unsustainable practice of overdrawing highland aquifers, resulting in lowered water tables and declining water quality. This paper focuses on the water shortage in Jordan, the primarily evaluation of this problem and the solution is contemplate. A true foundation of sustainable water solution requires awareness upon the part of the population, and a number of governmental and non-govern mental organizations are actively involved in educating the populace about water shortage. The more essential and "doable" elements of a sustainable water solutions were discussed in this research, these elements are standing under, the development of new supplies of water, water harvesting. desalination, reuse of wastewater in the agricultural sector and reduction of water demands. Moreover, this article presents specific recommendations addressing water resource shortage in the kingdom and highlighting the importance of conservation of water and discussing the basics of sustainable solution. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.