Amman Imman Borehole Wells

Jordans arid climate makes reliable water supplies a critical concern for both urban and rural communities. In the capital city of Amman, the Amman Imman Borehole Wells program has emerged as a cornerstone of the citys strategy to augment groundwater extraction while preserving the fragile aquifer system. This page provides an overview of the technology, implementation, benefits, and future outlook of the Amman Imman borehole wells.

Why Borehole Wells?

Borehole wells are deep, narrow shafts drilled into underground aquifers to tap clean water that is not reachable by conventional shallow wells. In Amman, the primary reasons for choosing this method are:

• Water scarcity: Surface water sources are limited and heavily polluted.
• Urban expansion: New neighborhoods need a reliable, independent water supply.
• Aquifer protection: Controlled extraction helps maintain groundwater levels.
• Costeffectiveness: Once installed, boreholes provide a longterm, lowmaintenance source.

Technical Overview

The Amman Imman system follows international best practices for drilling, casing, and pumping. Key technical elements include:

1. Drilling Process

Rotary drilling rigs equipped with diamondtipped bits are used to reach depths ranging from 80m to 250m, depending on the target aquifer. Continuous geophysical logging ensures the well is placed in the most productive stratum.

2. Casing and Sealing

Highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) or steel casings line the borehole to prevent collapse and contamination. A grout seal is injected above the screened interval to isolate the well from surface water inflow.

3. Pumping Equipment

Submersible, energyefficient centrifugal pumps are installed at depths matched to the water table. Variable frequency drives (VFDs) modulate pump speed, allowing precise control of discharge rates.

4. Monitoring & Control

Each well is equipped with a remote telemetry unit that transmits water level, flow rate, and power consumption data to a central control room. This realtime monitoring enables quick response to any anomalies.

Drilling rig in action on a typical Amman borehole site.

Implementation Timeline

The Amman Imman project followed a phased approach:

• Phase 1 (20152017): Feasibility studies, hydrogeological surveys, and pilot drilling of 10 wells.
• Phase 2 (20182020): Expansion to 35 additional wells, integration with the municipal water grid.
• Phase 3 (20212023): Installation of smart monitoring stations and renewableenergypowered pumps.
• Phase 4 (2024present): Ongoing optimization, community outreach, and preparation for a new set of 20 wells in the southern outskirts.

Environmental and Social Benefits

Beyond providing water, the borehole network delivers several ancillary advantages:

• Reduced pressure on surface reservoirs: By drawing from deep aquifers, surface dams experience less stress.
• Energy savings: VFDcontrolled pumps consume up to 30% less electricity compared with fixedspeed models.
• Job creation: Local contractors, technicians, and maintenance crews have been employed throughout the project.
• Community empowerment: Training programs teach residents how to monitor water quality and report leaks.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

While the program has achieved notable success, it has faced a few obstacles:

Groundwater Overextraction

To avoid depletion, extraction rates are capped at 0.2m per second per well, in line with the Ministry of Water and Irrigations sustainability guidelines. Continuous data analysis helps adjust these limits when necessary.

Salinity Intrusion

Deeper aquifers occasionally show elevated salinity. The solution includes periodic water quality testing and, where needed, blending with treated surface water to keep the final supply within WHO standards.

Funding Gaps

Project financing has been a mix of municipal budgets, international donor grants, and privatesector partnerships. The latest round secured a $12million loan from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, earmarked for the upcoming southern expansion.

Future Outlook

The Amman Imman initiative serves as a model for other Jordanian cities facing similar water scarcity issues. Planned enhancements include:

• Integration of solarpowered pump stations to further lower operational costs.
• Implementation of AIdriven predictive analytics for aquifer recharge forecasting.
• Expansion of community water kiosks that draw directly from nearby boreholes, improving access in lowincome neighborhoods.

By combining robust engineering, transparent governance, and community participation, the Amman Imman borehole wells are poised to sustain Amman's water needs for decades to come.

Learn More

For detailed reports, technical specifications, or partnership inquiries, please visit the official website of the Amman Water Authority or contact the project office at info@ammanwater.jo.