Using the existing information from the MWI database Water Information System (WIS) and
review of pertinent reports, the brackish waters of both groundwater and springs were
accessed to determine their availability and exploitation potential in the Amman-Zarqa Basin
(AZB).Within the AZB, the brackish water resource consists of the lower sandstone hydraulic
complex made up of the regional aquifers of the Ram Group overladen by the Zarqa Group
and the Kurnub Group. There are springs that discharge from the contacts within this
sandstone complex. The lower sandstone hydraulic complex is overladen in the north eastern
highlands by the fresh water aquifers of the B2-A7 and Basalt. Deterioration of the fresh
water aquifers as well as severe shortages of potable water especially in the summer months
has led WAJ to look at developing brackish water resources. Reverse Osmosis (RO)
desalination technology can be used for treatment of brackish water from existing sources to
potable standards to either augment existing distribution networks or to supply remote areas.
The long term implication is that brackish water can be an additional valuable resource for
Jordan