Instituting Water Demand Management (IDARA), Jordan

What is it?

A wide-ranging programme of water demand management initiatives aimed at driving down water usage in one of driest countries on Earth.

Who is responsible?

The Water Demand Management Unit of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, with the support of USAID and Development Alternatives Inc.

What makes it special?

• Jordan is not just short of water, it is short of money. It will not be able to meet the needs of its growing population through big engineering projects alone. It must also engage every citizen directly in its water conservation efforts. The IDARA programme does this through water policy, regulations, institutional support, technology, best management practice, education and outreach. It is possibly the largest and most comprehensive demand reduction initiative in the world.

• Examples of savings include a 40% reduction in water demand from new high-rise developments in Amman as a result of the implementation of a new advisory building code, and a 15%-20% reduction in water demand from residential areas involved in the IDARA outreach programme.

• Private sector companies such as HSBC have become partners in the initiative, supporting water conservation projects.