Illegal water use in Jordan

Illegal water use in Jordan is about the different ways in which Jordanians illegally use water outside of the country’s regulatory framework. The illegal use is done by taking groundwater without permission, making secret connections to city water pipes, tampering with main lines, and taking water from canals without a license. This has a major effect, as Jordan face severe water shortage. Research shows that the country now has only about 60–65 cubic meters of renewable water per person each year, one of the lowest levels in the world.

Jordan faces extreme water scarcity, with each person having access to less than 100 cubic meters of renewable water per year. This is far below the international water poverty line. Urban households receive piped water only one or two days a week, a rationing system shaped by the country’s dry climate, limited surface flows, overdrawn aquifers, and rapid population growth, including growing numbers of refugees. These conditions as well as climate change and agricultural demand, have caused a developed underground market for water.^[1] At the same time, nearly half of Jordan’s water is lost as non revenue water (NRW) due to leakage, billing gaps, and illegal use.^[2] To address this, the government aims to cut NRW to below 25% by 2040, with support from international partners such as the IFC and utilities like Miyahuna, working to improve efficiency and service delivery.^[3][4][5][6]

Illegal wells and over pumping

Since the late 1990s, drilling new wells is restricted in Jordan, but even though, new illegal well are drilled, when existing wells are overused.^[7][8]

Illegal connections and meter tampering.

There are several illegal connections to municipal networks diverting water to other uses. this causes lower water pressure for those using it legally.^[7]

Diversion from canals.

The King Abdullah Canal that is the largest irrigation canal system in Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley. there are regular reports of illegal offtakes, vandalism and theft of canal equipment.^[9][10]

Trade in unlicensed tanker water.

There is a big unregulated water truck market carrying underground water from villages to the cities, where households pay several times more than the normal piped water price.^[11][12]

In 2013, a campaign against water theft was launched by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI). In the first few years thousands of illegal facilities were dismantled, hundreds of wells were sealed and well drilling equipment was confiscated. In spite of these efforts, in 2023-2024 along the King Abdullah Canal hundreds of illegal wells were sealed and tens of thousands of violations were detected.^[3][13][14]

It is estimated by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, that in 2022 Jordan lost about 9.6 million m³. The illegal connection to water sources raises water loss and costs over repair works, depresses network pressure, and undermines utility finances. This mainly effects cities who do not have regular water supply.^[3][15]

The water truck market shows bigger social problems, as families who get very little piped water (less than about 40 liters per person per day) depend a lot on tankers and pay nearly 5 times the piped water price, creating worries about fairness and affordability.^[3][11]

Jordan’s Water Authority Law, has made it a crime to take water without permission, damage the network, or make illegal connections. People who break the law can face prison and fines, with sentences reported from a few months to several years. Authorities stress that tough punishments are needed to protect water resources.^[16][14]

Since 2013, joint teams from MWI, the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), and security services have carried out routine sweeps to remove illegal connections, seize tanker trucks operating without permits, and close unlawful wells. Reported enforcement milestones include: removal of more than 24,000 illegal fixtures by 2016; over 30,000 violations addressed by 2017; more than 1,300 illegal wells sealed by end-2022; and at least 201 illegal wells sealed in 2023–2024, alongside 35,000+ violations detected along the KAC in that period.^[13][14][17]

According to experts the problem is caused by several triggers that are: severe water shortages and irregular city supply, big profits from selling stolen or illegally pumped water, poor metering and weak networks, and the wide reach of tanker delivery. They also note that overcharging and organized theft grow easily when penalties and monitoring are weak.^[7][18]

Government plans, such as the National Water Strategy 2023–2040, focus on cutting water losses, shutting down illegal wells, improving groundwater checks, and modernizing pipes and billing systems.^[5][19] International partners like USAID, IFC, and KfW help by funding better meters, pressure control, pipe repairs, and stricter enforcement.^[20][21] They are also supporting upgrades to parts of the King Abdullah Canal to reduce losses and move water more efficiently.^[6]

• Water supply and sanitation in Jordan
• Water scarcity in the Middle East

• King Abdullah Canal
• Aqaba–Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project
• Red Sea–Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project