Jordan: Sewage network crumbling in city of Zarqa

A crumbling sewage system in the city of Zarqa, 30km east of Amman, could trigger the spread of diseases on a large scale, according to community leaders and residents.

Residents say streets flooded with effluent have become a common sight. Many say the situation has taken its toll on their children.

Officials at the Ministry of Water said a plan had been drawn up to replace the entire network by 2012 at a cost of US$275 million.

"The government has started implementing a project to renew the sewage network in the city. Currently a US$5 million renovation project is near completion," said Emad Moumani, head of Zarqa water department at the Ministry of Water.

The government also has a "hydraulic analysis" project designed to uncover leaks, he added.
Water experts say chronic water shortages and official policy to ration water are putting pressure on the sanitation system in general.

Elias Salameh, a professor at the University of Jordan who specialises in water issues, argued that the real problem is not so much the dilapidated sewage network, but rather the close proximity of the sewage network to domestic water supply lines, combined with irregular water pumping.