Amman, Sept. 23 (Petra) -- Zara-Ma’in Water Supply System project has received an award from the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) in the small-to-medium project category, Water Minister Raed Abu Soud said.
Specifically designed within the water infrastructure sector, the recognition marks the first Jordanian project to be honored in this category.
The award recognizes the rehabilitation of the Zara-Ma'in water supply system.
In a statement Wednesday, Abu Soud called the award a national achievement that reflects Jordan's leadership in water-project management, carried out under royal directives from King Abdullah II and the oversight of Crown Prince Hussein, in line with the government's economic modernization plan and the National Water Strategy 2023-2040.
He said the recognition shows Jordan's water sector has built a "model institutional" framework aligned with international best practices, reinforcing Jordan's regional and global standing in integrated water management.
The achievement also supports the national strategy's focus on water resource management as a "pillar of sector sustainability," he said.
Zara station supplies water to central Jordan, producing about 38 million cubic meters annually and serving roughly 1.7 million people.
The ministry, with support from the U.S. government, replaced pumps and rehabilitated the station to international standards, cutting energy and operating costs and improving its resilience to climate change.
The rehabilitation, part of the broader Zara-Ma'in water system project, targeted efficiency and reliability amid limited water resources and rising demand.
As for its scope, work aimed to upgrade system facilities and improve operations and maintenance, reducing energy consumption and costs, while applying sustainable solutions to strengthen the infrastructure against climate impacts.
Abu Soud credited continued U.S. support for advancing Jordan's transition toward a green economy and sustainable development, which he said has helped balance water and energy security.
//Petra// NQ
