Amman, Dec 17 (Petra) – The Ministry of Water and Irrigation signed two agreements on Wednesday to improve and expand the Al-Samra wastewater treatment plant and enhance water resources in the Jordan Valley, as part of an emergency response to water challenges.

The agreements, signed by Water Authority Secretary-General Sufian Batayneh and Jordan Valley Authority Secretary-General Hisham Hisa with the US embassy, ​​include a $46 million grant to expand the Al-Samra plant, enhance water resources in the Jordan Valley, and fund the sustainability of the agricultural sector, according to a ministry statement.

Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud said at the signing ceremony that the Al-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement and Expansion Project is one of the key infrastructure projects in the Kingdom.

It aims to meet a growing demand for wastewater treatment in the Amman and Zarqa regions through improving the plant's operational efficiency, utilizing modern treatment technologies, increasing its daily capacity, and promoting the reuse of treated water, he said.

The United States will provide $28 million in funding for the project, he added.

The minister said the $18 million financing agreement with the Jordan Valley Authority will contribute to enhancing water resources through water reuse, drilling and rehabilitating urgent wells, upgrading pumping stations, rehabilitating reservoirs, and boosting efforts to protect water resources.

He thanked the US embassy for the funding to address water challenges facing the Kingdom.

Abu Saud said the signing underlines a shared commitment by both Jordan and the United States to improve the efficiency, resilience, and sustainability of the water sector in light of rising challenges resulting from climate change, population growth, and dwindling water resources.

//Petra//SS