Iraq Faces Dire Water Crisis: 90% of Rivers Polluted and Urgent Solutions Needed
The water crisis in Iraq has reached alarming levels, with the United Nations reporting that 90% of Iraq's rivers are polluted. This dire situation is compounded by climate change, mismanagement, and dwindling water supplies from neighboring Turkey and Iran. Experts predict that by 2035, Iraq will only meet 15% of its water needs, raising concerns about the sustainability of agriculture and the livelihoods of millions.
Former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has voiced fears that Iraq is facing an existential crisis, particularly threatening farmers in the southern marshlands. In a recent interview, Aoun Diab Abdullah, Iraq's Minister of Water Resources, emphasized the need for immediate and strategic solutions to tackle the worsening water challenges. He highlighted that climate change has made drought a recurring reality, necessitating urgent action to manage water resources effectively.
The Minister outlined several immediate measures, including the equitable distribution of water among users. He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture has distributed over 12,000 modern irrigation systems this year, which are expected to irrigate more than one million acres of farmland. This initiative aims to enhance water efficiency in agriculture, which is the primary consumer of water in Iraq.
Minister Abdullah also mentioned a study conducted by a British firm, indicating that Iraq's agricultural lands require approximately 54 billion cubic meters of water annually. With current agricultural land estimated at 7 to 8 million dunams, the focus will be on modern irrigation methods to rationalize water consumption. Furthermore, the government plans to recycle wastewater and utilize every drop of water, including agricultural drainage and groundwater.
In addition to these efforts, Abdullah revealed plans to construct 36 water harvesting dams to capture floodwaters in valleys and desert areas, improving water availability without the need for large storage dams. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance water security in Iraq, especially given the recent inclusion of the marshes in the World Heritage List, which imposes certain environmental standards.
Looking ahead, Minister Abdullah stressed the importance of cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, which supplies 70% of Iraq's river water. A Turkish-Iraqi Joint Committee meeting is scheduled for next month, aimed at fostering collaboration on water infrastructure projects. Abdullah is optimistic that these combined efforts will lead to a significant improvement in Iraq's water situation.
Water expert Tahseen Al-Moussawi has called for international negotiations to address the crisis, suggesting involvement from global bodies like the European Union or the World Bank. He argues that effective negotiations with Turkey and Iran hinge on the strength of Iraqi negotiators, who have previously struggled to leverage Iraq's economic power, which includes a $24 billion trade balance with Turkey.
As Iraq grapples with a four-year drought, the need for decisive action to combat water scarcity has never been more urgent. The situation calls for a comprehensive approach that includes international support, effective negotiation, and sustainable management of water resources to secure a stable future for the Iraqi people.
