Today, Jordan ranks as one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, facing the major issue of being able to supply it's rising population with it's water needs.Driving around in Amman on a rainy day, it comes as quite a surprise to me that a large number of streets are completely submerged in water, that drainage and sewage systems always seem to be blocked up on a rainy day, and that all that flood water is not benefited of. To add to the sarcasm, a significant amount of the kingdom's water is imported from neighboring countries!
Ever since I moved to Amman, a noticeable feature in our residence has been the integrated rainwater well we have underground. This 3m3 (three meters cubed) well plays a vital role in our summer lives. The amount of water it is able to hold is something I honestly find fascinating, such that is provides an immediate alternate to government water and can be used for various purposes including gardening and everything but potable water; that is unless an adequate filter is implemented.
Now hypothetically, what if, to some extent, the government would put into action a program that would make it compulsory for each new building to have a built-in rainwater well underground? Just imagine the tremendous amounts of water that could be stored from this straightforward plan, not to mention the ridiculously large sums of government money that could be saved and made use of elsewhere.
Well I hope water plans for the Kingdom work out well, and wish you all a happy rainy day.
