Local
The Ministry of Reconstruction and Housing announced that 86% of Iraq's population currently has access to drinking water, with a comprehensive plan in place to extend water supply to all regions across the country. Hussein Jassim Al-Mousawi, the General Director of the Water Directorate within the ministry, explained that an ambitious plan is underway to reduce the water supply deficit, and the implementation has reached advanced stages. He noted that the current coverage is good, but the goal is to achieve 100% coverage within a short period, with ongoing projects aimed at this target. He pointed out that strategic and significant projects are being executed across various provinces, from northern to southern Iraq, relying on the main rivers with multiple capacities according to demand. Among the major ongoing projects is the South Karbala project with a production capacity of 16,000 cubic meters per hour, alongside the Ramadi water project with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per hour. Additional projects in Diyala include five sites in Jalawla, Jadida Al-Shatt, Khan Bani Saad, Qara Taba, and Western Baqubah. Al-Mousawi emphasized that improving water quality is a priority, as all treatment plants currently process freshwater. However, the condition of river water has changed, requiring enhanced treatment to address these challenges. Cooperation with relevant authorities is ongoing to reduce pollution, which directly affects water quality, highlighting that the ministry is among the most affected by this issue.
