Basra begins soil testing for barrier to stop saltwater intrusion through Shatt al-Arab

BASRA — Basra authorities have begun soil testing with an Italian company for the design of a barrier dam intended to block saltwater from advancing into the governorate through the Shatt al-Arab waterway, Deputy Governor Maher al-Ameri told 964media.

The project, planned near Al-Maqal Port around 100 kilometers north of the Gulf, will consist of two sections — a fixed concrete wing east of the historic Sindbad Island and a movable rubber barrier to its west, in a channel known for strong waves and fast tidal currents.

“The local government is determined to complete the project before the salt tongue rises and to limit its advance,” Ameri said, adding that the dam would help preserve freshwater flows from the Tigris toward Basra. He also expressed hope for “a fair distribution of water shares and preventing encroachment on them by governorates located before Basra.”

Abbas Abdul-Maan, an engineer working with a consortium of Italian firm Archest and Al-Jood Designs and Consultations Office, said teams are currently collecting data on water discharges and conducting environmental and hydrological studies. Soil investigation work has begun, after which structural designs will be completed. “The design preparation period will take up to 180 days, with efforts to complete it before the specified time, followed by the actual implementation,” he said.

Basra has faced recurring water crises driven by rising salinity in the Shatt al-Arab. In 2025, high salinity levels contributed to the spread of skin rashes among children and livestock deaths. Salinity in northern Basra dropped to 2,000 TDS in late March following rainfall and increased water releases, with levels in the city center falling to 7,500 TDS.