Jordan expands the As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Jordanian government, through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), has entered into an agreement with the operator of the As-Samra Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jordan’s largest wastewater treatment facility, for an additional expansion of the plant. The project is valued at approximately USD 28 million and is being implemented with support from the US government.

As-Samra plays a central role in Jordan’s water infrastructure. The plant treats nearly 70 per cent of the country’s wastewater and serves, among other areas, the densely populated Amman-Zarqa region. The treated water is extensively reused for irrigation, thereby helping to reduce pressure on Jordan’s limited freshwater resources. The current expansion is intended to increase the plant’s treatment capacity and operational efficiency in order to accommodate growing wastewater volumes. The project also includes the introduction of additional and more advanced treatment technologies and is expected to increase the volume of treated water available for reuse, including for agricultural purposes. The expansion is also expected to contribute to increased water flows to the King Talal Dam, thereby enabling more efficient use of the country’s water resources.

The As-Samra plant was originally developed as Jordan’s first project under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model and has long formed an important part of the country’s efforts to develop its water and wastewater infrastructure through public-private cooperation. Mannheimer Swartling also acted as adviser to the Jordanian government in connection with the original BOT project. The current expansion is scheduled for completion in 2028.

Mannheimer Swartling has advised the Jordanian government, through MWI, in connection with the current expansion. The firm’s team comprised Johan Granehult, Sara Johnsson, Oscar Aspelund and Erik Wikner.