Bad water causes Jordanian minister of irrigation to resign

Jordanian Minister of Irrigation Munther Haddadine has left his ministerial post after problems with drinking water quality in some districts of the capital, Amman.

His resignation comes after investigation of complaints about pollution in and the foul smell of drinking water in Amman.

Tests conducted on the water proved the presence of organic materials and algae, which the main center for water treatment could not get rid of.

Jordan's King Hussein formed an independent committee to investigate the source of the poor water quality.

Previously, chairman of the agriculture and waters committee at the Jordanian Parliament, Salamah al-Heyari, said that water coming to the Jordanian filtering station in "Zay" 40 km from the Jordanian capital, Amman, from Tabaraya lake contains bacteria which the station's refinery could not get rid of.

He added that treating this water with chloride with the rise of temperatures would result in poisonous reactions and bad smells felt by citizens in the capital. Many Jordanian citizens were admitted to clinics and hospitals in Amman after drinking the polluted water. Citizens submitted thousands of complaints over water reaching their houses with a bad smell and greenish color.