Sulaymaniyah authorities arrest four in Penjwen for illegal well digging

SULAYMANIYAH — Four people have been arrested in Penjwen for illegal well drilling, local officials announced.

The Forestry and Environment Police in Penjwen made the arrests along the Penjwen-Bashmakh road, seizing illegal drilling equipment, 44 water pipes, and a vehicle, according to a statement. This marks the seventh such arrest in Sulaymaniyah this year, with five of the apprehensions occurring in Penjwen, police added.

Previously, Abbas Ali, director of Sulaymaniyah’s Groundwater Department, outlined the legal requirements for well digging, stating, “For agricultural purposes, well digging is permitted only if the land area is at least five dunams [approximately 1.24 acres], as specified by law.” He noted that Erbil enforces a stricter threshold, requiring a minimum of 10 dunams (about 2.47 acres).

Local regulations prohibit unauthorized well digging because it can drain groundwater reserves, damage ecosystems, and disrupt agriculture. Officials say these rules help ensure sustainable and equitable use of water resources for farmers, industries, and communities.