'Not standard practice', say authorities
Sewage Discharge in Hor Rajab condemned by locals
BAGHDAD — In Hor Rajab, south of Baghdad, residents are voicing their distress and condemnation after main sewage pipes were opened into the local drainage system. This action has led to foul odors permeating the area, posing significant health risks to the community. The outcry has prompted calls for urgent intervention from the Prime Minister, while the sewage department maintains that the measure is only temporary.
Abu Mohammed Al-Muaini, a resident, told 964media, “The air became foul suddenly, and we discovered it was from the sewage pipes opened into our river.” He warned of the potential for disease spread if this method of sewage disposal continues, noting the situation’s unprecedented nature. Given Hor Rajab’s status as a densely populated agricultural area, locals are urgently requesting a solution to the unbearable stench.
Scientific and academic perspectives on sewage management stress the importance of proper waste treatment to prevent environmental and health hazards. Untreated sewage can contaminate water sources, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases and impacting agricultural productivity.
Ahmad Dawood, another local, clarified that the sewage water from Al-Karkh is being released into the main drains, not directly into rivers. However, the drainage system, with its extensive network of branches, is causing damage throughout the area. Dawood pointed out, “The sewage doesn’t affect our agriculture directly since it doesn’t reach the irrigation rivers, but the stagnant water in the drains is now a direct threat to our health.” Residents are calling on the prime minister to prevent such environmentally damaging practices.
A Baghdad Sewage Department source explained to 964media that diverting sewage to agricultural lands and drains is not standard practice. The current release of sewage into the drains is a temporary emergency measure, necessitated by repairs and significant construction and infrastructure projects in the region. The department insists that any inconveniences will be swiftly addressed, aiming to alleviate the community’s concerns.
Suq Al-Shuyukh Sewage department says Euphrates river pollution is “minimal”
