The Prime Minister of Iraq, Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani, has announced that his government has developed a plan to tackle the issue of water scarcity in the country. The project involves dams to collect rainwater across Iraq, including the Kurdistan region. Al-Sudani stated that the problem of water scarcity is a result of climate change, which poses an existential threat to the country. This has resulted in a decrease in water levels in rivers due to migration and other impacts. The government has already taken steps to address the problem by implementing wastewater networks, but the need for treatment plants has resulted in sewage being dumped into rivers, which further exacerbates the problem.
The government’s plan includes the construction of treatment plants in all regions from Mosul to Basra by 2024 to ensure that wastewater is processed and not released into rivers. This will also help to address the environmental problems caused by the burning of associated gas, which contributes to global warming. The government is also planning to incentivize farmers to adopt more efficient irrigation methods, such as the use of sprinkler systems, which will help to conserve water.
Al-Sudani also highlighted the issue of neighboring countries, such as Turkey, which have built dams that generate electrical energy but release water on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, reducing the water supply to Iraq. Al-Sudani emphasized that the government’s efforts to address the issue are being carried out diplomatically, as escalating the matter to international organizations would take time and may not address the root of the problem.
The government’s strategic plan to overcome the water scarcity problem will be announced soon, with hopes that it will be signed by the Turkish President during his visit to Baghdad. The plan includes the construction of dams in the Kurdistan region and the implementation of an integrated water management process that involves diverting wastewater to agriculture, as is done in other countries. Al-Sudani reassured the public that the government is taking the matter seriously and is committed to addressing the issue of water scarcity in Iraq.
The Prime Minister has proposed a plan to build small dams throughout Iraq in order to harvest rainwater and direct it to various uses. He is optimistic and believes that this plan, which he describes as “integrated for all parts of Iraq,” is the ideal solution to the water problem. He states that if they manage water revenues well, it will be sufficient to meet all human and non-human needs. Technicians and specialists have confirmed the viability of this strategic project.
