SDG 3 Good health and well-being<br />SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation<br />SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure<br />Dr. Malik Mustafa Mohammed<br />SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation in Iraq<br />1. Introduction<br />Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. This report provides an overview of the status of SDG 6—Clean Water and Sanitation—in Iraq, highlighting key challenges, progress made, and recommendations for future action.<br />SDG 6 includes six main targets:<br />- 6.1: Universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water<br />- 6.2: Access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene<br />- 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater treatment, and reuse<br />- 6.4: Improve water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals<br />- 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management<br />- 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems<br />2. Current Status of SDG 6 in Iraq<br />2.1 Access to Drinking Water (Target 6.1)<br />According to UNICEF and WHO data (2023), approximately **80% of the population in Iraq has access to basic drinking water services**, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas:<br />- Urban areas: ~90% have access to piped water.<br />- Rural areas: Less than 50% have reliable access to clean water.<br />In many regions, especially in southern Iraq and conflict-affected areas like Anbar, Kirkuk, and Ninewa, water supply infrastructure is outdated or damaged due to years of conflict and underinvestment.<br /><br />2.2 Sanitation Services (Target 6.2)<br />- Around 70% of Iraqis have access to at least basic sanitation services, but again, rural areas lag significantly behind.<br />- In some governorates, open defecation remains a challenge, contributing to water contamination and health risks.<br />- Over 2 million people lack access to improved sanitation facilities.<br />Wastewater treatment coverage is low, with only about 30–40% of sewage treated before discharge, leading to pollution of rivers and groundwater.<br />2.3 Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment (Target 6.3)<br />- Pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage threatens surface and groundwater quality.<br />- The Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which provide most of Iraq’s freshwater, are increasingly polluted and overused.<br />- Only a small percentage of cities have functioning wastewater treatment plants. Many operate below capacity or release partially treated water.<br />2.4 Water Stress and Use Efficiency (Target 6.4)<br />- Iraq faces acute water stress, exacerbated by climate change, upstream damming by Turkey and Iran, and inefficient use of water.<br />- Agriculture accounts for over 60% of water consumption, often using flood irrigation methods that are highly inefficient.<br />- Groundwater levels are declining rapidly due to over-extraction and insufficient recharge.<br />2.5 Integrated Water Resources Management (Target 6.5)<br />- Iraq lacks a fully implemented national water strategy, although efforts are underway to improve coordination among ministries and stakeholders.<br />- Transboundary water disputes with Turkey and Iran remain unresolved, affecting water flow into Iraq.<br />- There is limited institutional capacity and funding for effective water governance.<br /><br />2.6 Protection of Water-Related Ecosystems (Target 6.6)<br />- The Mesopotamian Marshes, once one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the Middle East, were severely degraded during Saddam Hussein's regime and face ongoing threats from drought and reduced water flows.<br />- Recent conservation efforts supported by UNESCO and NGOs have seen partial restoration, but the ecosystem remains vulnerable.<br />3. Challenges Facing Iraq in Achieving SDG <br />- Conflict and instability: Damage to infrastructure from past conflicts hampers service delivery.<br />- Climate change: Prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and declining rainfall reduce water availability.<br />- Transboundary water disputes: Reduced inflows from Turkey and Iran threaten long-term sustainability.<br />- Aging infrastructure: Much of Iraq’s water and sanitation infrastructure is outdated or destroyed.<br />- Lack of investment and planning: Limited government budgets and poor maintenance exacerbate problems.<br />- Pollution and environmental degradation: Industrial waste, oil spills, and inadequate waste management harm water quality.<br />4. Progress and Initiatives<br />Despite these challenges, several initiatives and programs aim to address water and sanitation issues in Iraq:<br />4.1 Government Efforts<br />- Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works are working on rehabilitating water and sanitation systems.<br />- National Development Plan (2018–2022) included water infrastructure rehabilitation as a priority.<br />4.2 International Suppor<br />- UNICEF supports water trucking, chlorination, and WASH programs in displacement camps and vulnerable communities.<br />-World Bankand EU fund projects to rehabilitate water supply and sanitation systems.<br />- USAID and other agencies support decentralized water treatment units and community-level improvements.<br />- UNDP works on restoring water infrastructure in post-conflict areas.<br />4.3 Civil Society and NGOs<br />- Local and international NGOs are involved in awareness campaigns, hygiene education, and emergency response.<br />4.4 Technological Innovations<br />- Pilot projects for solar-powered water pumping and desalination are being tested.<br />- Decentralized water treatment units are deployed in remote and underserved areas.<br />5. Recommendations<br />To accelerate progress toward achieving SDG 6 in Iraq, the following actions are recommended:<br />1.Invest in Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Expansion<br /> - Prioritize repair and modernization of water supply and sanitation networks, particularly in rural and war-affected areas.<br />2. Strengthen Water Governance<br /> - Develop and implement a comprehensive national water policy.<br /> - Improve inter-ministerial coordination and transparency in water resource management.<br />3. Address Transboundary Water Issues<br /> - Engage in diplomatic dialogue with upstream countries to ensure equitable water sharing agreements.<br />4.Promote Water Conservation and Efficient Use<br /> - Encourage adoption of efficient irrigation techniques in agriculture.<br /> - Invest in rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and wastewater reuse technologies.<br /><br />5.Expand Wastewater Treatment<br /> - Increase funding and technical capacity for building and maintaining wastewater treatment plants.<br />6.Enhance Climate Resilience<br /> - Integrate climate adaptation strategies into water planning.<br /> - Promote drought-resistant crops and early warning systems for extreme weather events.<br />7. Community Engagement and Hygiene Education<br /> - Expand WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs in schools and communities.<br /> - Involve local communities in managing and maintaining water points.<br />8. Support Research and Data Collection<br /> - Establish a robust system for monitoring water quality, usage, and availability.<br /> - Support research on sustainable water management practices suitable for Iraqi conditions.<br />6. Conclusion<br />Iraq faces significant challenges in achieving SDG 6, but with coordinated efforts among the government, international partners, civil society, and local communities, substantial progress can be made. Ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation is not only essential for public health but also for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the country.<br />Achieving SDG 6 will require sustained political commitment, increased investment, improved governance, and innovative solutions tailored to Iraq’s unique socio-political and environmental context.<br />7. References<br />- United Nations (2023). Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000–2022.<br />- World Bank (2024). Iraq Water Sector Overview.<br />- UNICEF Iraq (2023).WASH in Emergencies Report.<br />- FAO Iraq (2023). Water Scarcity and Agricultural Practices.<br />- UNESCO (2022). Restoration of the Mesopotamian Marshes.<br />- Ministry of Water Resources, Iraq (2021). National Water Strategy.<br />Al-Mustaqbal University The First University in Iraq<br />