The rapid advances in industrialization and technology together with changes in agriculture have brought not only advantages to human society but also enormous environmental problems.

Realizing the importance of water, soil and air pollution in the overall economic and social development of Jordan, The Hashemite University has established a center to deal with the environmental problems in the Zarqa region.

This region is highly industrialized with more than 52% of Jordanian industries located in Zarqa. These include the main Oil Refinery, King Hussain Thermal Power Plant and other chemical industries. Moreover, Kherbit El-Samra, the main wastewater treatment plant in the country that treats about 80% of municipal and industrial wastewater, and Al-Rusaifa Landfill which is considered as the largest landfill in Jordan, are located within the region.

The presence of the oil Refinery, King Hussain Thermal Power Plant and other industries could affect greatly the Zarqa basin, surface and ground water, and air emission, where volatile organic compounds emitted could increase the pollution level in the region if not managed properly. As for Khirbet El-Samra, it is overloaded. It was designed to receive 67,000m3/d and presently it treats about 170,000 m3/d. This is causing the station to be inefficient ,and that affects the agricultural sector in Jordan, since it is a source of irrigation for the Jordan Valley farming sector. This station also has sludge problems, where large amounts of dried sludge in its ponds are awaiting disposal .

Since these pollutants are potential sources for contaminating water resources (surface and groundwater), soil and air, the establishment of this center is of high priority to deal with all aspects of environmental pollution in this region and to be a reference in the country.

The center will play a leading role in establishing and implementing national plans for developing and managing Jordan's natural resources.
Characterization and understanding of water, soil and air in our environment require that they are repeatability and reproducibility analyzed . The center will direct its activities to water quality, industrial hazardous waste, air and land pollution, and to performing microbiological tests of food disinfectants and chemicals.