Reservoirs

Kurdistan Regional Government launches major water project to tackle Erbil shortages

2024-09-08 | 11:20

ERBIL — The Kurdistan Regional Government has launched a drinking water project in Erbil to address the city’s decades-long water shortage.

On Sept. 8, 2024, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani laid the foundation stone for the project in the Kawrgosk area along the Greater Zab River. The initiative includes the construction of 20 reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 300,000 cubic meters. It is designed to deliver 20,000 cubic meters of water per hour and provide up to 480,000 cubic meters daily.

“This is one of the most essential and vital projects for Kurdistan, particularly for Erbil, which has experienced severe water shortages every summer for many years,” Barzani said during the ceremony.

Barzani emphasized that once the project is completed, “hundreds of water wells will be decommissioned, which will help restore the city’s groundwater levels.”

Currently, Erbil’s water supply relies on threea water projects—Ifraz 1, 2, and 3—that draw water from the Upper Zab River, supplying 60% of the city’s needs. The remaining 40% comes from 1,700 wells spread across the region, collectively providing around 650,000 cubic meters of water daily to residents.

Barzani noted that previous local efforts had been insufficient. “Some groups have tried to exploit the water crisis for political purposes, but this issue cannot be resolved by just a few water tankers. We need a project like this to bring water directly from the Greater Zab to Erbil,” he added.

Erbil’s water shortage has been a source of frustration, particularly during the scorching summer months when temperatures often exceed 40°C. Many neighborhoods have seen repeated protests over the lack of water, with some residents relying on deliveries from aid organizations and political groups.

Khalid Khushnaw, owner of Hemen Group, the company responsible for the project, explained: “Until now, only 13,000 cubic meters per hour have reached Erbil from the Greater Zab through the existing projects. This new project alone will provide 20,000 cubic meters per hour, meeting the needs of 1.5 million residents in accordance with global standards.”

The project will employ 5,000 workers, working in three shifts, with completion expected in 550 days, Khushnaw added.

Once finished, the project will supply water to various neighborhoods, including those located between the 150-meter and 120-meter streets, such as Dara Tu, Banaslawa, Kasnazan, Shawes, Pirzin, Baharka, Ankawa, and Sebiran, aiming to end Erbil’s long-standing water scarcity crisis.