Erbil faces deepening water crisis as wells dry up

ERBIL — The ongoing water crisis in Erbil is intensifying, with projections showing that 40 wells will have dried up by the end of this year, exacerbating the severe drinking water shortage in the capital of the Kurdistan Region. Local water officials report that 20 of these wells have already ceased functioning in the first half of the year.

Erbil’s water supply primarily relies on three Ifraz water projects—Ifraz 1, 2, and 3—that draw water from the Upper Zab River, contributing 60% of the city’s water needs. The remaining 40% is supplied by 1,700 wells dispersed across the region, collectively delivering approximately 650,000 cubic meters of water daily to residents. In response to the escalating crisis, local authorities initiated the Ifraz 4 project in Sept. 2023.

The water scarcity has hit some areas particularly hard. In the village of Bakhcha Gawra, located in the Kasnazan district, a primary well has dried up. Although a new well was subsequently dug, the broader region, including Qushtapa, Khabat, Makhmour, and Shaqlawa, continues to suffer worsening conditions.

“From Jan. to June 2024, 20 wells in the Erbil region have dried up, and we expect another 20 to follow suit by the end of the year,” Rezan Saadi, head of the Erbil Water Department, told 964media. Saadi highlighted the impact of climate change on the area’s groundwater levels, noting, “Where once water could be found at depths of 200 to 300 meters, now the minimum depth required is 550 meters.”

Despite the dire situation, a newly drilled well at a depth of 550 meters in Bakhcha Gawra has recently succeeded in alleviating the drinking water shortage for 50 households.

The challenges are compounded by climate change, with the UN identifying Iraq as one of the countries most affected by its impacts. Earlier this month, Erbil’s governor, Omed Khoshnaw, emphasized the critical situation, stating, “more than 25 percent of wells have dried up this year,” and stressed the need for Erbil to reduce its reliance on groundwater.

Amidst the scorching summer heat, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C, residents of Erbil’s suburban areas have repeatedly protested the ongoing water shortages. Despite these demonstrations, the crisis persists, with many relying on water trucked in by aid organizations to meet their daily needs.