Halcrow has been appointed engineer for Jordan’s key $1 billion water conveyance system.

Jordan is considered one of the ten most water-scarce countries in the world and city residents are subject to severe water restrictions. High population growth and the depletion of groundwater reserves are threatening to aggravate this situation in the future.

The Disi-Mudawarra to Amman water conveyance project aims to provide relief to the capital city Amman by providing around 30 per cent of the city’s water requirements. The project is an example of Halcrow’s commitment to help develop a water-secure world through its water scarcity strategy.

“This project will keep us busy for a number of years and will help raise our profile as a leader in the search for solutions to the global water resource crisis,' said Philip Bourne, regional director for water and power.

The project involves the construction of a 325km pipeline that will drive water from the Disi-Mudawarra aquifer on the Jordan-Saudi Arabia border to Amman. When complete – in January 2013 – it will ease pressure on existing aquifers and help to ensure water supply continuity and quality.

Included in the scope of work is 55 production wells, 120km of collection piping, 325km of conveyance piping, two pumping stations, four tanks and one reservoir, control valves and operation and maintenance facilities.

With funding from Opic, the European Investment Bank and Proparco, the project will also create employment opportunities and promote private sector participation in Jordan’s future development.

Halcrow is representing the Jordan-based concession company Diwaco, or Disi Water Company, which is wholly owned by Gama Enerji. Worth approximately £5 million to Halcrow Group, the company role as owner’s engineer will involve project management, design review and site auditing.

Halcrow’s presence in Jordan stretches back to the 1970s. The Queen Alia Mausoleum was completed in 1980 and in 1992 the company was awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in recognition of its work on the East Wahdat Upgrading Project, which improved the quality of live for people living in 5,000 dwellings, he added.-TradeArabia News Service