The Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) has selected contractors for two water pipeline contracts totaling $37m. The projects are part of government efforts to overcome water scarcity in the northern governorates of Jerash and Ajloun.

The local Nemer Allouzi Contracting has been selected for $20m (JD14m) contract to build a 45.5 kilometres (km) transmission pipeline from Hofa to Ajloun. Work includes building a pipeline with a trunk line diameter of 500millimetres (mm).

A second contract of $17m has gone to the local United Enterprises Contracting Company for a 83.8km pipeline between Um Lulu and Jerash. Work includes building a pipeline with a trunk line diameter of 500mm.

Two more tenders are to be released for rehabilitation and extension works of pumping stations and distribution systems in Um Lulu, Jerash, Hofa and Samad. A source close to the project says the remaining tenders will be released before the second quarter of 2014.

The awards are part of a government initiative to build water infrastructure for water scarce governorates in northern Jordan. The final result of the project will be a 201km pipeline with the capacity to transport 7,000 cubic metres of water a day.