Transforming Water and Sanitation in Northern Jordan: World Waternet and Yarmouk Water Company’s Success in Irbid

The challenges of Jordan

Harry Verweij, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan:

"The people of Jordan face tremendous challenges regarding water scarcity. So, the Netherlands works very closely with Jordan on sustainable water practices." The project, carried out in partnership with World Waternet and Yarmouk Water Company (YWC), addressed severe water and wastewater challenges intensified by the rapid population growth in Irbid due to the arrival of refugees. These improvements directly contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all.

Addressing Critical Needs in Irbid

The city of Irbid in the north of Jordan, faces mounting pressure on its aging wastewater systems, which have led to frequent sewer blockages, overflows, and flooding in densely populated areas. In response, the Netherlands sought to empower YWC through World Waternet’s expertise to help address these issues, which threaten the public health, environmental safety, and quality of life of the residents of Irbid.

Project Achievements

Kees van der Lugt, Regional Director, World Waternet Middle East and North Africa:

“This partnership highlights the power of collaboration in achieving meaningful change. Working together with YWC, we’ve delivered impactful solutions that will strengthen Jordan’s water management capacity for years to come.”

Through this collaboration, substantial progress was made in water and sanitation for Irbid:

1. Upgraded Infrastructure: Replacement of 12 kilometers of outdated sewer pipes in Irbid’s city centre, reducing blockages and enhancing wastewater flow.
2. Capacity Building: Training provided for over 250 YWC staff in infrastructure maintenance, safety protocols, and asset management, equipping the local team with long-term, sustainable skills. On top of this, 6 trucks have been shipped to Jordan to inspect and clean the wastewater system of Irbid. The dedicated technicians of Yarmouk have received intense training on this and have already cleaned over 30 kilometers of sewage pipes throughout the city.
3. Enhanced Operational Efficiency: New asset management and procurement protocols empower YWC to manage resources more effectively and sustain improvements over time. This has improved efficiency of three major wastewater treatment, who clean for over 26 million liters of wastewater per day.
4. Improved Safety Measures: Introduction of safety standards, including COVID-19 measures, to ensure worker and public safety during system operations. Many safety equipment has been provided to Yarmouk, such as safety vests, gas masks, H2S meters, glasses and metal detectors.

Sustainable Development and Long-term Impact

This project is a direct investment in the community’s resilience and aligns with SDG 6’s goals for clean, sustainable water and sanitation access. Through strengthened maintenance practices and improved flood management, YWC now has a robust framework to support the region’s growing water needs in a sustainable way​​. All the activities of this project contribute to the sanitation components of SDG6.

About World Waternet

World Waternet, established in 2007 by the city of Amsterdam and the water authority Amstel, Gooi, and Vecht, is committed to sustainable, clean water access for all. Guided by values of collaboration, independence, and innovation, World Waternet partners with public water utilities worldwide to build local capacity, share knowledge, and support resilient water systems. Through public-to-public partnerships, World Waternet strives to make a meaningful impact on global water challenges for a future-ready water cycle​.