Amman, July 21 (Petra) – The Ministry of Water and Irrigation/ Water
Authority of Jordan said Tuesday that authorities dismantled a
large-scale illegal water extraction network in Aqaba and arrested a
suspect accused of stealing about 3,500 cubic meters of water per day
for resale to factories, hotels, industrial facilities and vehicle
wash businesses.

In a statement, the ministry said the operation followed several days
of surveillance, intelligence gathering and investigation after
disruptions to water
supplies and irregular distribution were reported in parts of Aqaba,
particularly the Mahdoud and Sixth Districts.

Authorities uncovered 19 major illegal connections to 8-inch and
16-inch main water transmission pipelines. The network was used to
divert water over long distances to fill tanker trucks, which then
supplied factories, hotels, companies and industrial facilities
across Aqaba.

According to the ministry, the violations were traced to multiple
sites in the Ma’amel, Shamiyah, Malqan and Industrial areas linked to
an individual identified by the initials A.M.T.Y.

Investigators found an extensive network of 1-inch and 2-inch
pipelines connected to 29 underground and metal storage tanks, each
with capacities ranging from 50 to 100 cubic meters. They also seized
19 high-capacity pumps used to fill water tankers for illegal
commercial distribution.

During the raid, authorities arrested a different suspect at a
company linked to the operation and confiscated financial records
documenting the illegal sale of water.

Technical teams immediately began disconnecting the illegal
pipelines, dismantling the unauthorized infrastructure and repairing
damage to the water network to restore normal supplies to affected
areas.

The ministry said all violations have been referred to the Public
Prosecution, with investigations continuing to complete legal
proceedings and identify and apprehend other individuals involved.

It stressed that inspection and enforcement campaigns will continue
nationwide to combat illegal water use, which directly reduces
citizens’ water allocations and disrupts scheduled water
distribution.

The ministry described water theft and attacks on water
infrastructure as economic crimes that threaten national, water and
social security, stressing that any infringement on citizens’ water
rights is a red line that will not be tolerated.

It also urged the public to report any suspected tampering with water
infrastructure through the ministry’s designated complaint channels
and thanked citizens and partner agencies for their cooperation in
protecting Jordan’s water resources.

//Petra// AJ