SDG 3: Good health and well-being<br />SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation<br />SDG 11: Sustainable cities and economies<br />Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) in Babylon Governorate, Iraq <br />Dr. Malik Mustafa Mohammed<br />1. Introduction<br />The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure **universal access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)** by 2030. Babylon Governorate, located in central Iraq along the Euphrates River, faces significant challenges in achieving this goal due to water scarcity, pollution, aging infrastructure, and population pressures. This report evaluates the current status, challenges, and initiatives related to SDG 6 in Babylon, offering recommendations for sustainable progress. <br />2. Current Status of Water and Sanitation in Babylon<br />Water Availability <br />- Sources: The Euphrates River is the primary water source, supplemented by groundwater and seasonal rainfall. <br />- Access: <br /> - Urban areas (e.g., Hilla, the capital): ~85% of households have piped water access. <br /> -Rural areas: Only ~60% have reliable access, with many relying on informal wells or tanker trucks. <br />- Quality: <br /> - High salinity and contamination from agricultural runoff (pesticides/fertilizers), untreated sewage, and industrial waste. <br /> - WHO/UNICEF (2022): 30% of water samples in rural Babylon fail microbial safety standards. <br />Sanitation<br />- Sewage systems: <br /> - Urban areas: 70% coverage, but treatment plants are outdated or non-functional. <br /> - Rural areas: Open defecation (5%) and pit latrines (25%) remain common. <br />- Wastewater treatment**: Only 40% of wastewater is treated before discharge into rivers. <br />3. Key Challenges <br />3.1 Water Scarcity <br />- Climate change: Reduced rainfall and upstream damming (e.g., Turkey’s Ilisu Dam) have shrunk the Euphrates’ flow. <br />- Over-extraction: Groundwater depletion due to agriculture and unregulated drilling. <br />3.2 Pollution<br />- Industrial discharge (e.g., textile factories, oil refineries) and agricultural runoff contaminate water sources. <br />- Municipal sewage leaks into rivers due to broken pipelines. <br />3.3 Infrastructure Deficits<br />- Decades of conflict (1990s sanctions, 2003 war, ISIS occupation) destroyed 40% of water infrastructure. <br />- Limited funding for repairs and modernization. <br />3.4 Population Pressures <br />- Rapid urbanization and displacement (e.g., post-2014 ISIS crisis) strain existing systems. -<br />4. Initiatives and Progress <br />4.1 Government and International Efforts <br />- National Development Plan (2023–2027): Allocates $500 million for water infrastructure in Babylon. <br />- UNICEF/WHO Projects: <br /> - Installed 50 solar-powered water purification units in rural schools. <br /> - Rehabilitated three wastewater treatment plants in Hilla. <br />- Iraqi-German Cooperation: Modernized irrigation systems to reduce agricultural water waste. <br />4.2 Community-Led Solutions <br />- NGOs like Mercy Corps promote rainwater harvesting and household water filters. <br />- Awareness campaigns on hygiene practices (e.g., handwashing, waste disposal). <br />4.3 Technological Innovations <br />- Use of remote sensing to monitor groundwater levels and pollution hotspots. <br />- Pilot projects for low-cost wastewater treatment using locally sourced materials. <br />5. Case Study: Revitalizing the Euphrates in Babylon <br />- Project: UNDP’s “Euphrates Revival Initiative” (2021–2025). <br />- Actions: <br /> - Dredging sediment buildup to improve river flow. <br /> - Planting 10,000 trees to reduce soil erosion. <br /> - Training farmers in drip irrigation to cut water waste. <br />- Impact: 15% increase in clean water access for 50,000 residents (2023 report). <br />6. Recommendations <br />1. Infrastructure Investment: <br /> - Prioritize repairing pipelines and expanding sewage networks. <br /> - Adopt decentralized wastewater systems for rural areas. <br />2. Pollution Control: <br /> - Enforce stricter penalties for illegal industrial discharge. <br /> - Promote organic farming to reduce agrochemical runoff. <br />3. Climate Resilience: <br /> - Build small-scale dams and recharge groundwater aquifers. <br />4. Community Engagement: <br /> - Train local technicians for the maintenance of water systems. <br /> - Launch public campaigns on water conservation. <br />5. Data and Monitoring: <br /> - Establish real-time water quality monitoring systems. <br />Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq<br />