The Water Project
Restoring an Ancient Water System
While about 300 mm, or about 12 inches, of rain falls annually on the slopes of the Jebel Druze to the north, historically Umm Al-Jimāl received only about 100-150 mm every year. Therefore, the systematic collection and storage of water was key to permanent living at Umm Al-Jimāl. Winter rains from the northern mountains supplied and sustained the residents of Umm Al-Jimāl over its centuries of settlement. The runoff was directed towards the site and captured in at least twenty-six reservoirs in the town, and four in the village. Most water was collected from an intake canal that tapped into the Wadi el-Lis, while a second canal brought water into the two northern reservoirs. Piping and channel systems in some houses indicate that rainwater was also collected from roofs and pavements. This complex system of channels and reservoirs was refurbished and extended from the Nabataean/Roman through the Early Islamic periods.
.jpg)
Partners and Rationale
Local residents, the Umm Al-Jimāl Archaeological Project, the Municipality of Umm Al-Jimāl, and other community-based partners have collaborated to restore the ancient water system for modern use, with funding and support from organzations such as the Calvin Clean Water Institute, the NORHED Birzeit-Bergen URBAN TRANSFORMATION Program, GIZ, and Rotary (W. Michigan and Amman).
There were 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 helps 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 provides a sustainable, secure, and local source of water for modern Umm Al-Jimāl’s thousands of residents, their flocks, as well as local gardens and farms.
Planning and Development
The project builds on work by USAID conducted about 1960 to reconstruct the ancient Roman reservoir on the east side of the site. In 2010, proof of concept work by local residents outside the site’s boundary first reopened the NE water channel that flows into the large Roman reservoir, which now fills annually. Initial stages of the work began in 2016, with conservation and restoration completed in 2019. Water is now pumped from the reservoirs to holding tanks outside of the site (using a series of non-permanent hoses), allowing the community access to water and preventing damage to the site from heavy traffic.