Erbil Residents Celebrate 'Source of Life' as Water Project Ends Decades of Scarcity

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A wave of profound relief and gratitude is sweeping through neighborhoods in Erbil as residents celebrate the inauguration of a transformative water project, with many hailing it as the most significant public service initiative in over three decades and the definitive end to a long, arduous struggle with water scarcity. Following the launch of the first phase of the Emergency Rapid Water Supply Project on Sunday under the supervision of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, citizens who have endured years of shortages are now witnessing a reliable flow of clean water, a change they describe as life-altering.

For the residents of neighborhoods like Eighth Hasarok and Bnaslawa, the project is more than just infrastructure; it represents a new chapter of stability and development.

“This project was not only for Eighth Hasarok but for all of Erbil; it was an important, strategic, and much-needed project,” a citizen from the Eighth Hasarok neighborhood told Kurdistan24. He emphasized its historic scale, stating, “Since 1992, this is the largest project implemented for Erbil, because people had a major problem with water scarcity and had to buy water. Eighth Hasarok was no exception to this problem; our biggest issue was the lack of water. But the Emergency Rapid Water Supply Project has ended the water scarcity crisis in Erbil. We are very grateful to the Prime Minister.”

The project’s impact is already catalyzing further development. The same resident noted a visible surge in local construction, directly attributing it to the newfound service security. "The water has been tested; all that remains is for it to come through the network," he added. "Also, with the arrival of this water, house construction in this neighborhood has accelerated over the past 12 days. People are now building houses without issues because they know services are available, and one of those essential services is water, the source of life."

Another citizen from Eighth Hasarok echoed this sentiment, linking the project to the Prime Minister’s broader commitment to the area. "I commend the Prime Minister. His decision to provide services for the land plots was very important for Eighth Hasarok, as it brought development to this neighborhood," he said. "Today, he inaugurates this project in Erbil, which brings us great happiness—all of us residents, as this neighborhood has had a major water problem for 20 years. Now, the main pipeline has come through the middle of Eighth Hasarok, and we request that they install our local network as soon as possible, especially in the areas where houses have been built."

The sense of disbelief and joy was palpable among long-time residents. Sa'di, an elderly resident of the neighborhood, expressed his profound happiness. "I am very happy about the inauguration of this project, and I commend Prime Minister Masrour Barzani," he said. "He has done a great thing for Erbil. Until now, we had no hope of solving the water shortage problem, but now the water is so close we can hardly believe our eyes."

Meanwhile, in the Bnaslawa neighborhood, some residents are already experiencing the project's benefits firsthand. "For three days, we have had very good water," one resident reported. "In the past, our water came from wells, our situation was very bad, and we had a shortage. Some houses would get water, while others received none at all. But with the completion of this project, we have no more problems. Now, water reaches the rooftop tanks without needing a pump. We are very grateful to the Prime Minister; he has done a very good thing for us."

With the new abundance comes a sense of responsibility. The same resident urged for measures to ensure the project's long-term success. "We request that this project include penalties for households that waste water, so that we do not face scarcity issues again," he added.

The transition from the old, failing system to the new one was marked by a poignant moment for the city’s traditional water well operators. One "miraw" recounted the exact moment his role became obsolete. "At 3:30 yesterday afternoon, I was notified by the water director to open all the valves, shut down the wells, and return to work at the department office," he said, signaling the definitive end of an era. He also confirmed the severity of the recent crisis, stating, "This year we were completely overwhelmed by the shortage. Two wells were not producing water... Therefore, we request that penalties be established for those who waste water."

For those still awaiting connection, the project inspires great hope. "It's a drought year, and the wells are not producing water. I have been buying water since May and am waiting for this project to reach me to be free of this problem," another Bnaslawa resident said, comparing his optimism to a previous successful government initiative. "This project is like the electricity project. The government has given us good electricity, and we hope the Emergency Rapid Water Project will be like that, so we can finally have peace of mind."