Using spatial analyses tools to study the impact of changing demographics, agricultural extents and urban growth on water quality and availability in the Amman-Zarqa basin, Jordan

Abstract

Jordan is one of the countries in the world facing a water crisis, as current water usage in the country is unsustainable in terms of both supply and quality. The water demands of Jordan have led to a decimation of underground water with a rise in salinity in the aquifers. The high population growth and pulse immigration stemming from worsening regional conflicts has led to serious water shortages in urban centres and villages. Jordan faces almost inevitable social conflict and the irrevocable loss of agricultural land due to the increase in refugee numbers from neighbouring countries and general population growth. With the consequences of climatic fluctuations, such as rainfall, there has been a significant shift in the agricultural sector towards intensification and a high reliance on irrigation. The underground water sources are an important source of drinking water, agricultural production and industrial use. Underground water in Jordan is inherently susceptible to contamination from anthropogenic activities, which to remedy is difficult and costly. Identifying and preventing the sources of underground water pollution is critical for underground water management. The aims of this project were primarily to address the water problem in Jordan through identifying the extent of the resource reduction, and establishing the reasons for its decline in quality