Successful completion of Dutch Jordanian water project
A significant water infrastructure project has been completed in Irbid, Jordan’s second-largest city, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation to over 125.000 citizens.
The initiative was carried out by World Waternet, a Dutch water utility, and Yarmouk Water Company (YWC), its Jordanian counterpart, under a four-year Water Operators Partnership. The 5.6 million euro water infrastructure project was funded and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan.
The city of Irbid in the north of Jordan faces mounting pressure on its aging wastewater systems. This has led to frequent sewer blockages, overflows, and flooding in densely populated areas. In response, the Netherlands sought to empower Yarmouk Water Company (YWC) through World Waternet’s expertise to help address these issues, which threaten the public health, environmental safety, and quality of life of the residents of Irbid.
"The people of Jordan face tremendous challenges regarding water scarcity. The Netherlands is working closely with our partners to implement sustainable water practices,” said H.E. Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan.
The project addressed severe water and wastewater challenges intensified by the rapid population growth in Irbid due to the arrival of refugees. These improvements directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.
Project achievements
According to Kees van der Lugt, Regional Director Middle East and North Africa at World Waternet, “This partnership highlights the power of collaboration in achieving meaningful change. Working together with YWC, we have delivered impactful solutions that will strengthen Jordan’s water management capacity for years to come.”
Through the multi-year collaboration, substantial progress was made in water and sanitation for Irbid. The Water Operators Partnership achieved the following successes:
- Upgraded infrastructure: replacement of 12 kilometres of outdated sewer pipes in Irbid’s city centre, reducing blockages and enhancing wastewater flow.
- Capacity building: training provided for over 250 YWC staff in infrastructure maintenance, safety protocols, and asset management, equipping the local team with long-term, sustainable skills. In addition, six trucks were shipped to Jordan to inspect and clean the wastewater system of Irbid. The dedicated technicians of Yarmouk received intense training on this and have already cleaned over 30 kilometres of sewage pipes throughout the city.
- Enhanced operational efficiency: new asset management and procurement protocols established to empower YWC to manage resources more effectively and sustain improvements over time. This has improved efficiency of three major wastewater treatment, who clean over 26 million litters of wastewater per day.
- Improved safety measures: safety standards, including COVID-19 measures were introduced to ensure employee and public safety during system operations. In addition, safety equipment was provided to Yarmouk, namely safety vests, gas masks, H2S meters, glasses and metal detectors.
Sustainable development and long-term impact
This project is a direct investment in the community’s resilience and aligns with SDG 6’s goals for clean, sustainable water and sanitation access. Through strengthened maintenance practices and improved flood management, YWC now has a robust framework to support the region’s growing water needs in a sustainable way.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in Dutch Jordanian cooperation, demonstrating the impact of collaborative, sustainable water management.
