WATER PROJECT

Restoring an Ancient System

The systematic collection and storage of water was key to permanent living at Umm el-Jimal. While about 300 mm, or about 12 inches, of rain falls annually on the slopes of the Jebel Druze to the north, historically Umm el-Jimal received only about 100-150 mm every year. Consequently, Umm el-Jimal’s residents built an ingenious system of channels and over eighteen large reservoirs to gather and keep water year-round for people and animals alike.

PARTNERS AND RATIONALE

Today local residents, the Umm el-Jimal Project, the Municipality of Umm el-Jimal, and other community-based partners are collaborating to restore the ancient water system for modern use.

There are two rationales for the project. First, the brief, concentrated annual spring rains often flood the site, which poses a long-term threat to the ruins’ conservation. Restoring the ancient water system will help preserve the site by properly channeling and distributing these flows. Second, Jordan is one of the top ten water-poor countries on Earth. Restoring the water system will provide a sustainable, secure, and local source of water for modern Umm el-Jimal’s thousands of residents, their flocks, as well as local gardens and farms.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The project is now underway. Building from work by USAID conducted about 1960 to reconstruct the ancient Roman reservoir on the east side of the site, the project is now underway. In 2010, proof of concept work by local residents outside the site’s boundary first reopened the NE water channel flowing into the Roman reservoir, which now fills annually. Initial stages of the work began in 2016, with conservation and restoration targeted for completion by 2019 and a permanent community delivery system as well as appropriate monitoring and evaluation set up concurrently.

Young boy swimming

Find Out More

For an overview of Umm el-Jimal's ancient waterworks, see the Water System video in the Short Films page.

Check out the Black Jewel and Women's Co-op pages for more information about the community groups working tirelessly to benefit ancient and modern Umm el-Jimal.