Water crisis deepens in Dhi Qar despite millions spent on infrastructure

Nov. 28, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The water crisis in Iraq's Dhi Qar province remains unresolved, with numerous villages and towns still suffering from severe drinking water shortages despite substantial government investments.

Residents report critical shortages affecting basic daily activities. "We don't even have enough water to wash our faces in the morning. Despite the government spending tens of millions of dollars, they still haven't managed to supply water to all neighborhoods and areas," local residents told Kurdistan24.

The situation has worsened due to inadequacies in the water treatment project, which delivers insufficient quantities to residents, with some villages receiving no water at all through the public network.

"We have no water flowing through the pipes whatsoever. It's not an exaggeration to say we can't even wash our faces when we wake up. The lack of water has truly paralyzed our lives," one resident of Dhi Qar told Kurdistan24.

Another resident expressed frustration with official responses: "We've approached everyone from the governor to the water director and minor officials, but nobody has addressed our concerns. God knows we have no water."

Despite the government's recent implementation of major water supply projects in Dhi Qar province, these initiatives have fallen short of meeting public demands.

Some residents have resorted to extending water pipes from other neighborhoods to secure drinking water for their families. Instead of improving, the crisis has only expanded.

The Assistant Director of Dhi Qar's Water Department confirmed to Kurdistan24: "We've contacted central government officials and the Ministry of Water Resources. It's true that Dhi Qar has a water shortage problem. We've requested an increase in our water allocation and are awaiting response."

Nearly 20 years after the establishment of the new Iraqi government, Dhi Qar residents still struggle with basic water access.

Despite astronomical budgets allocated for water infrastructure, mismanagement of funds and resources has resulted in persistent problems.

The province's water crisis exemplifies broader infrastructure challenges facing post-2003 Iraq, where despite significant investments, essential services remain inadequate for many citizens.