Erbil Water Meets WHO Standards as Major Project Delivers to First Areas
Erbil officials confirm drinking water meets WHO standards as the first phase of a major emergency water project, inaugurated by the PM, begins supplying numerous neighborhoods to end water shortages permanently.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Officials from the Erbil Water Directorate have affirmed that the capital's drinking water consistently meets the highest international health standards, a testament to rigorous daily testing, as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) advances a landmark emergency project designed to permanently eliminate water shortages for decades to come.
The assurance of current water safety comes directly from the Erbil Water Directorate's Water Quality Control division, whose teams are tasked with continuously taking daily samples from neighborhoods and alleys across the city for comprehensive laboratory analysis.
Zakaria Abdulkhaliq, the Head of Quality Control at the directorate, explained the meticulous process in a statement to Kurdistan24.
"After our teams bring the water samples, we conduct a series of 'physical, chemical, and biological' tests on them in the laboratory," he said.
Mr. Abdulkhaliq confirmed the positive results, stating, "It has become clear to us that according to World Health Organization standards, the water is of standard quality, suitable for drinking, and has no issues."
This assessment is also in line with standards set by the Ministries of Health of both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
This high standard of service is being felt by residents on the ground. Jassim Murad, a citizen of Erbil, expressed his satisfaction, saying, "Thank God, the water is very good. Now we have 24-hour electricity and water."
Building on this foundation of quality, the KRG is undertaking a massive infrastructure upgrade to guarantee future supply. On September 8, 2024, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid the foundation stone for the Erbil Emergency Water Project.
The ambitious project, with a budget of nearly $480 million, is slated for implementation in less than 550 days.
Upon its completion, it is expected to resolve Erbil's water shortage problem by 100% and protect the city from water scarcity for the next 30 years.
The project is designed to treat 480,000 cubic meters of water per hour and will supply 20,000 cubic meters of clean, potable water per hour on a 24/7 basis to the neighborhoods of Erbil.
Significant progress on the project has already been marked.
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Prime Minister Barzani inaugurated the first phase of the Emergency Water Supply Project.
A long list of neighborhoods that previously experienced water shortage problems are set to receive clean water from this initial phase, including Rashkin, 32 Park, Turaq, Alan City, Diyari City, Baghlumnara, Mamzawa, Qatawi, Zhyan, Roshnbiri, Fermanberan, Zaitun City, Daratu, Bnaslawa, Hiran City, Altun City, Galawezh, Awenay Shar, Berkoty New, Ta'jeely New, 8 and 5 of Hasarok, Hawkarī, Kasnazan, Zilan, Lawan, Ainday Du, Andazyaran, Ashti, and Qalaty New.
Kurdistan24's correspondent Ahmed Abdulsamad contributed to this report.
