Jordan’s Water & Irrigation Ministry and USAID have launched a $48.4m project to transport water from Zaatary in the Mafraq governorate to Hofa in the Irbid governorate.

The pipeline will increase water supply to the north of the country by 20 per cent and transfer 2.6 billion gallons of water a year.

The East Primary Water Transmission System will carry water through a 47.8-kilometre-long pipeline from a planned pumping station in Zaatary to an existing reservoir in Hofa.

USAID will provide $31.5m and the Water Authority of Jordan will supply the remaining funds.

The US’ Sorenson Gross Construction Services is the contractor on the project and CDM International, also of the US, is the construction manager.