Threats to the thermal mineralized waters used for therapeutic purposes in Jordan

Although Jordan is a country with very limited water resources, the country is rich in its thermal mineralized water possessing curative properties, historically used for the therapy of a variety of ailments. Due to the country’s increasing water demand resulting from population growth, urbanization, and industrialization, extractions from the groundwater sources feeding the thermal mineralized springs has started to affect negatively the discharged quantities from the springs. In addition, urbanization, mining activities, over-exploited groundwater resources in general and severe drop in the level of the Dead Sea is leading to declining discharge of springs in general, and thermal mineralized in special, deteriorating water quality and contamination by human activities. In this article, the current quantitative and qualitative situation of the thermal mineralized springs is given and the threats to their discharges and quantities are discussed. In addition, some water policy changes and measures are suggested to conserve these therapeutic waters for the use of generations to come and to alleviate their depletion and quality deterioration on the social and economic state of Jordan.