Translated by Matthew Petti

Contamination in Al-Wala Dam, a major source of drinking water, is threatening the health of people in Madaba Governorate, Dhiban Region, and Al-Jizah District, residents are warning once again.

Every winter, residents of the province repeatedly complain about the treatment plant in South Amman Wastewater Treatment Plant leaking sewage and contaminants into the reservoir, but without a response or solution from the authorities.

 In 2020, then-water minister Motasem Saidan responded to complaints about discolored water by running laboratory tests. The preliminary results showed that samples were in line with water quality samples, and no wastewater from the South Amman station had entered the water.

Saidan confirmed at the time that the Ministry of Environment sent additional samples to the Royal Scientific Society, and emphasized that the dam is a potential “hotspot” for issues during atmospheric depressions.

Despite the assurances of the minister and the test results confirming the safety of the reservoir, Dhiban resident Eng. Muhammad al-Sunaid held the Ministry of Water responsible for failing to respond to the risks to residents and agricultural land.

Al-Sunaid called on the government to tighten control over the South Amman plant, and to impose environmental penalties and close it if necessary.

The Miyahuna company stopped pumping water from several areas in Madaba Governorate and the capital last Saturday, as a precaution to reduce the turbidity in the wellwater at Al-Wala Dam.

Madaba residents questioned the move, which they said was actually due to contamination.

The wells at Al-Wala and Al-Haidan dams are at risk of an increase in turbidity during the winter due to the torrential rains, explained Miyahuna spokesman Ibrahim Qubeilat.

He denied any contamination in the drinking water supplied to the governorate, stressing that the company has stopped pumping water from the wells from the wells for 24 and 48 hours as a precaution.

Pumping will result according to schedule in each governorate, Qubeilat said.

Madaba residents, including residents of Al-Jizah and Dhiban, formed a joint popular committee to protect Al-Wala Dam from pollution and put an end to this problem, which comes up year after year.

Al-Wala Dam was built in 2003 with a storage capacity of 9 million cubic meters, at a cost of around JD 23 million. It was expanded in 2017 to about 25 million cubic meters.

Original article (Arabic)