REWARD has worked in close consultation with the Jordan Ministry of Environment on a long-term strategy for the restoration of the basin. A new strategy document will form the basis for further action in 2008 with funding from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and from UNDP.

Critical issues to be tackled are how to restore natural flows by making better use of groundwater and surface water and tackling profound problems of river pollution by domestic waste water from Amman City and from solid waste and used water from industry that is heavily concentrated in the river basin.

“Past, Present & Future Perspective” is the theme of the Zarqa River Photo Exhibition which was held by IUCN WAME in partnership with the Jordanian Ministry of Environment and funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Jordan (June 2007). The aim of this exhibition was to draw attention on water quality deterioration and its effect on community health, livelihoods and agriculture in this already dry and vulnerable region.