Jordan Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in jordan, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Environment and Water Sector
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Overview

As one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, water is a valued commodity in Jordan. Jordan currently has 61 cubic meters of renewable fresh water available per capita per year, which is far less than the 500 cubic meters per capita annually that is internationally recognized as the absolute water scarcity line. The renewable water resources currently only meet about two-thirds of the country’s total water consumption, making interruptions a common occurrence.

A range of factors exacerbate Jordan’s precarious water situation including low rainfall, increased demand due to population growth, economic development, unsustainable agricultural and aquifer/ground water pumping practices, as well as non-revenue water losses, limited water resources, and deteriorating water quality.  Jordan’s water is utilized by three main sectors - agricultural, municipal/domestic, and industrial – which together consume one billion cubic meters annually. The agricultural sector consumes 50 percent of water resources in the country, followed by municipal/domestic and industrial sectors.

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI) and the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv) handle water and environment related issues in Jordan. MoEnv manages the Jordan Environment Fund that includes grant funding from national and foreign organizations.  The Fund acts as an implementation arm for MoEnv in delivering supporting activities that contribute to conservation and development of sustainable practices.  U.S. firms are encouraged to monitor tender opportunities issued by both ministries, as well as the three water utilities – Miyahuna, Yarmouk Water Company, and Aqaba Water Company – each of which cover different parts of the country.

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation’s 2023-2040 National Water Strategy (NWS) aims to achieve water security with a focus on integrated water resource management. The NWS seeks to safeguard and preserve groundwater and surface water sources, by strict enforcement of water usage and protection laws. The strategy relies on exploring non-traditional water sources and developing projects like the National Conveyance Project and wastewater treatment to enhance and sustain the water supply.

Non-Revenue Water (NRW) remains a critical challenge for Jordan, historically accounting for nearly half of the country’s water usage. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Jordan launched a comprehensive national plan in June 2022 aimed at reducing NRW to below 25 percent by 2040. Progress is already evident, with NRW reduced to 45 percent as of 2025. This initiative presents significant opportunities for U.S. companies to contribute innovative solutions and expertise to support Jordan’s water management goals.

Studies in the agriculture sector indicate that Jordanian farmers use two to five times more water than needed. Agriculture contributes 6.9 percent to Jordan’s GDP, but consumes more than 50 percent of the country’s freshwater resources.

The use of wastewater in Jordan is growing due to water scarcity, and the government is concentrating efforts on the improvement of wastewater for agriculture use. Jordan operates 31 advanced wastewater treatment plants that treat more than 200 million cubic meters per year. The government seeks new technologies in several areas, including treatment of toxic organic and inorganic chemicals; recycling wastewater treatment sludge; and improved energy efficiency at treatment facilities. More than 50% of water for agriculture will be treated wastewater after the completion of the NCP.

Leading Sub-sectors

•    Wastewater treatment
•    Non-Revenue Water management
•    Desalination
•    Smart efficiency solutions (Energy efficiency)

Opportunities

U.S. firms will find both export- and project-based business opportunities involving infrastructure development, smart water technologies for agriculture and water (systems that automate monitoring and metering, treatment, distribution, loss, and leakage) and training/consultation services associated with water conservation, wastewater treatment, and desalination. Opportunities may range from utility company tenders to government-driven PPPs to donor-financed projects. U.S. companies are highly encouraged to participate in Jordanian utility bids.  

Examples of ongoing or upcoming water projects include: 

•   National Conveyance Project (NCP): The Aqaba to Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project is Jordan’s largest infrastructure project, expected to deliver approximately 40 percent of the country’s drinking water once completed. It will supply 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually from the Gulf of Aqaba to Amman through a 450 km pipeline. A consortium led by Meridiam, with SUEZ, Orascom Construction, and VINCI, was selected to deliver the project under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. As of August 2025, work is underway, with financial closure expected for the end of 2025 and construction to begin in 2026. The project is expected to be operational in 2030.  Although the consortium oversees delivery, there are engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) opportunities for international companies.

The government will invest heavily in the NCP Readiness program which includes upgrading the transmission and distribution networks nationwide to deliver the NCP water to citizens. Wastewater treatment capacity also needs to be significantly expanded to treat the water and make it available for reuse. A new $230 million wastewater treatment plant is being planned for Wadi Zarqa, and the As-Samra Wastewater treatment plant will receive $28 million in upgrades to treat increased flows resulting from the NCP water.
•    Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Projects: The Ministry of Water and Irrigation regularly issues tenders to modernize water networks in most regions of the Kingdom. Nearly half of Jordan’s water is lost through leaks, theft, and inaccurate metering. Currently there are more than a dozen projects under implementation funded by the Department of State to reduce water losses and modernize and upgrade networks. The government has been successful in reducing NRW by 6.7 percent since 2022.
•    Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project: This $300 million project is financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF). The project focuses on reducing NRW, improving energy efficiency in water utilities, and building resilience against climate shocks.
•    The Sustainable Wastewater Management Project: This $70 million project is improving wastewater services nationwide, funded by the German government through the German Development Bank (KfW). The project will maximize the use of treated wastewater for irrigation, while meeting international standards and ensuring efficient and sustainable water use.
•    Yarmouk Management Contract:  The government is proceeding with a management contract for the Yarmouk Water Company to improve water services to Jordan’s northern governorates (Irbid, Mafraq, Jerash and Ajloun).  Associated with the implementation of that contract, it is expected that $30 million per year will be allocated to a Rehabilitation Fund to improve its infrastructure, totaling $180 million over the six-year term of the contract.

For additional information, please contact U.S Commercial Service - Jordan at office.amman@trade.gov.

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