A water project in Erbil's Harir district. (Photo: Erbil Water Directorate)
in 2024
Groundwater levels in Erbil plunge as 27 wells run dry
ERBIL — 27 wells were confirmed to have dried up in surrounding areas of Erbil city last year, according to Rezan Saadi, Head of Erbil’s Groundwater Directorate.
Speaking to 964media, Saadi revealed, “In the first six months of 2024, 20 wells in the Erbil surrounding areas dried up, and by the end of the year, the number reached 27.”
The affected areas include Makhmour, Qushtapa, Khabat, Shaqlawa, Harir, and Pirmam districts.
Saadi explained that climate change has notably impacted Erbil’s groundwater levels. Previously, water could be extracted at depths of 200 to 300 meters, but in 2024, the minimum depth reached 450 meters, with some areas like Qushtapa requiring drilling as deep as 650 meters.
Thanks to rainfall during the winter of 2024, groundwater levels had temporarily stabilized, but Saadi warned that the lack of sufficient rain this year could worsen the situation.
Currently, groundwater levels in Erbil range from 450 to 750 meters depth to water. However, the city’s water crisis could escalate further without the implementation of urgent measures, including the completion of the water infrastructure investment projects.
Saadi emphasized that restricting the use of the wells is essential to preserve the region’s groundwater reserves, noting that each well extracts roughly 1,000 cubic meters of water daily, depleting underground reserves. With regulated use, the groundwater levels could gradually recover over time.
In September 2024, the Kurdistan Regional Government launched a major drinking water project in Erbil to address the city’s decades-long water shortage. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s 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.
Erbil’s water shortage has become a major source of frustration, especially during the sweltering summer months when temperatures frequently surpass 40°C. The city’s neighborhoods have witnessed several protests due to the lack of water, with some residents depending on deliveries from aid organizations and political groups.