Water Ministry affirms progress of Balqa wastewater treatment plant
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation/the Water Authority on Sunday issued a statement confirming the smooth progress of the Balqa wastewater treatment plant, encountering no major disruptions.
The Balqa wastewater treatment plant, valued at €75 million, aims to establish a cutting-edge treatment plant with a capacity of 54,000 cubic meters, based on the Design, Procurement, and Operation (DPO) principle. The funding for this initiative includes a €60 million loan from the French Development Agency (AFD) and a €15 million grant from the European Union.
The ministry reiterated its unwavering commitment to the success of the project, which holds the primary objective of retiring the existing Al-Baq’a treatment plant. The current plant has posed environmental and societal challenges due to operating at its maximum capacity. By decommissioning the Al-Baq’a plant, the project aims to mitigate these impacts and enhance environmental conditions. Additionally, the project seeks to decommission the Ain Al-Basha pumping station, further improving the environmental situation in the area.
The new treatment plant will adhere to stringent standards and specifications, ensuring optimal performance. Moreover, it will serve over 60 newly developed residential areas across various parts of the Balqa Governorate, catering to the needs of approximately 622,000 residents by the year 2040.
While acknowledging certain objections raised by members of the public regarding the chosen location of the treatment plant, the ministry assured that the project remains unaffected. To address concerns and facilitate smooth execution in accordance with the established plan, a dedicated technical committee has been formed to ensure that the project progresses efficiently and upholds the defined objectives.
Furthermore, the ministry extended the deadline for submitting bids for the construction of transmission lines leading to the new treatment plant until July 25, 2023. All interested parties are requested to submit their proposals to the Water Authority, which will oversee the project’s execution.
With a positive outlook, the ministry expressed its confidence in completing all necessary procedures promptly. By considering expert recommendations and adhering to the established timeline, the ministry anticipated commencing the implementation phase before the conclusion of the current year.
