The factors that cause non water revenue (NRW) in Jordan weaken the financial strength required for maintaining and upgrading government-subsidized utility networks. Non-revenue water (NRW) has escalated over the years in Jordan, reaching in some areas the critical level of 50%. Responding to such high water loss in a country like Jordan, which already suffers from extreme water shortages, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) introduced a project for assessing and reducing NRW.

Engicon was awarded this major project in 2015. The project objectives are to improve planning, design, procurement, and infrastructure, to ultimately reduce water loss in the water networks of the governorates of Amman, Zarqa, Madaba and Aqaba. Based on assessments, Engicon recommended that water utilities fund network rehabilitation, and carry out management and maintenance improvements, moving the project from a diagnostic stage to a result-driven stage. Engicon also provided an initial environmental examination that identifies the potential environmental impact, ensuring effective compliance. In terms of water-supply construction and rehabilitation, pipes, valves and meters, as well as pressure control valves needed upgrading. Further more water pressure management was implemented; the SCADA control system was introduced; as well as disconnecting illegal connections, and integrating customer locations with CIS and GIS systems. Real water loss was reduced through these changes.

To produce accurate indicators, the project identified boundary areas, isolated the networks by district metered areas (DMZ) and distribution zones (DZ), according to corresponding NRW rates. The project calculated flow balances for each system, issuing KPIs based on the International Water Association (IWA) categories. Engicon’s work produced asset registers, updated water supply records and drawings, and financial and economic models that identified the options for reducing NRW. The project assessed financial and economic costs and benefits and prioritized options based on cost effectiveness, implementation timeframes and costs. An NRW reduction program was also developed for improving customer registration, meter management, disconnect policies and procedures, and customer relations and complaints registers.

Part of the project was to improve residential water service delivery through capacity building programs targeting all stakeholders. Engicon also worked on outreach programs for schools, women, household residents to educate them on soft plumbing and water saving devices. Engicon was also asked to evaluate the feasibility of this public private partnership (PPP) model.

Services Provided:

• Development Strategy
• Infrastructure Planning
• Policy Studies and Strategy
• Strategic Planning
• Capacity Building
• Sustainable Development
• Tender Documents