Jordan takes steps towards water privatization

"The greatest long-term challenge for Jordan is the creation of a sustainable water supply, USAID Mission Director Anne Aarnes told an executive club launch on Monday.

"Affordable clean water is essential not only for maintaining a healthy population, but also for the future economic growth of all sectors of the economy," she said in a presentation entitled: "USAID Support in Jordan's Economic Development."

"Even now, a shortage of water is limiting the ability of businesses to be globally competitive. And the cost and availability of water is discouraging some businesses from setting up shop in Jordan," Aarnes added. "I cannot overemphasize the seriousness of this issue. Jordan's scarce water supply is already facing extreme pressure."

Noting that twice as much water is extracted as is recharged into the ground, the USAID mission director stressed: "We must use and reuse each precious drop of water as efficiently as possible, not only in our homes, but in our workplaces."

"And the private sector can and must do its part to conserve water and create conditions that ensure maximum productivity from each drop of this precious resource," Aarnes elaborated."