In line with the Sustainable Development Goals
Article Title:
Water Pollution in Iraq – By Assistant Lecturer Hasanain Mousa
Introduction
Iraq has been facing a complex water crisis for several years, characterized by water scarcity and declining quality. Pollution of rivers and waterways—particularly the Tigris, Euphrates, and Shatt al-Arab—along with reliance on deteriorating sewage networks and the discharge of industrial, medical, and agricultural waste into surface waters, has significantly reduced access to safe drinking water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
Sources and Causes of Pollution (Detailed)
Untreated sewage water: Domestic and industrial wastewater is often discharged directly into rivers or pumped into inadequate networks without sufficient treatment, due to a lack of treatment plants or poor operational management. This increases bacterial contamination, organic matter, and pollutants in drinking water.
Medical, chemical, and oil waste: Reports indicate the disposal of medical waste and oil by-products into rivers, especially near oil production sites and refineries, contributing to contamination of drinking water and soil with hazardous compounds and heavy metals.
Salinity and reduced flow due to dams and drought: Water levels have dropped as a result of upstream dams in neighboring countries and climate change, leading to increased salinity in the Shatt al-Arab and southern waterways, making water unsuitable for drinking and agriculture.
Intensive agricultural practices, fertilizers, and pesticides: Runoff from pesticides and fertilizers flows into water sources, increasing levels of nitrates, phosphates, and toxic pollutants.
Weak infrastructure, poor management, and corruption: Water distribution and treatment networks are outdated in many areas, with insufficient maintenance and inefficient spending, leading to greater public exposure to contaminated water. The Basra protests of 2018–2019 highlighted the severity of this issue and its direct health consequences.
Most Affected Areas
Basra and the southern and southwestern regions: Severely impacted by water pollution and salinity, leading to poisoning cases and mass hospital admissions.
Tigris River through Baghdad and urban areas: Industrial, medical, and solid waste discharges into the river affect local water supplies in the capital and its suburbs.
Marshes and wetlands: Declining water quality and reduced flow threaten biodiversity and local livelihoods.
Health and Epidemiological Impacts
Increase in waterborne diseases: Cases of bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A, skin infections, and mass poisoning events have been reported. During Basra’s 2018 crisis, tens of thousands were hospitalized with water-related symptoms.
Long-term risks: Prolonged exposure to heavy metals and toxic compounds may increase cancer rates and cause liver and kidney problems.
Environmental and Economic Impacts
Decline in fisheries and crops: Pollution and salinity reduce productivity, affecting the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen.
Degradation of historical marshlands: Water extraction and oil production threaten wetlands, once home to important biodiversity and Mesopotamian cultural heritage.
International Factors (Transboundary Rivers)
Dams and water management practices in neighboring countries (Turkey and Iran) have reduced river flows into Iraq, increasing pollutant concentrations and decreasing the rivers’ capacity for natural dilution. Cross-border cooperation is therefore critical.
Actions by Local and International Organizations
The UN, UNICEF, and international NGOs have issued warnings, provided water and health support programs, emergency interventions, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) initiatives, as well as awareness campaigns.
Human rights and advocacy groups, such as Human Rights Watch, have highlighted government shortcomings and the urgent need for reforms.
Practical and Urgent Recommendations
Short-term priorities (0–12 months):
Distribute treated, safe water to the most affected areas, with regular testing at supply points.
Activate emergency teams to inspect water networks and repair leaks to prevent cross-contamination between drinking water and sewage.
Medium-term priorities (1–3 years):
Establish or upgrade sewage treatment plants and ensure proper operation.
Install desalination plants in the south to protect drinking and irrigation water.
Enforce strict environmental regulations on factories and oil facilities, preventing untreated waste discharge.
Long-term priorities (3–10 years):
Negotiate regional agreements to safeguard Iraq’s water share and manage transboundary river resources.
Launch programs for marshland rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration.
Modernize irrigation and agricultural systems to reduce water consumption and pollution.
Financing and Transparency:
Strengthen regulatory institutions, enforce compliance with national and international standards, and combat corruption in water and environmental projects.
Indicators and Monitoring Metrics
Bacteria: E. coli and total coliforms.
Salinity: Total dissolved solids (TDS) and salt content.
Heavy metals: Lead, mercury, cadmium.
Organic indicators: Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).
Oil residues and pesticides.
An effective monitoring system and up-to-date data are essential for informed decision-making.
Conclusion
Water pollution in Iraq represents a multidimensional issue—environmental, health-related, social, and political—that demands a coordinated national response, supported by regional cooperation and international assistance. Acute impacts can be mitigated relatively quickly through emergency measures (such as safe water distribution and testing), but sustainable solutions require substantial investments in treatment plants, improved governance, and international agreements on river basin rights. While organizations such as the UN and UNICEF provide vital support, the implementation of policies and improvement of transparency remain key to preventing the crisis from worsening.
Al-Mustaqbal University – the First University in Iraq