Oil spill threatens Tikrit’s water facilities, residents urged to conserve water

SALAH AL-DIN – An oil spill in the Tigris River is moving downstream toward central Tikrit, potentially disrupting local water facilities, the Salah Al-Din Water Directorate announced on Monday. Residents have been urged to conserve water as authorities work to contain the contamination.

“To our dear community in Tikrit, please be informed of an oil spill in the river approaching our area, expected to arrive within the next few hours. This may negatively impact water projects and services,” the Directorate said in a statement, calling for community cooperation to mitigate potential shortages.

Efforts to contain the spill began on Nov. 3 after the slick was traced to the Baiji refinery. Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources dispatched response teams, including the General Authority for Irrigation and Drainage Operations, to manage the spill’s spread. Officials have assured the public that the oil is dissipating, and water treatment plants in Baiji, Tikrit, and the Al-Alam subdistrict are expected to resume normal operations soon.

On Nov. 6, the Baghdad Water Directorate announced precautionary measures to safeguard the capital’s water supply. Reinforcement of containment barriers and visual inspections of water production sites are underway to prevent contamination as the oil slick moves further downstream.

The Salah Al-Din Water Directorate continues to monitor the situation closely, working with other agencies to mitigate the spill’s impact and restore stable water services to affected areas. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and conserve water during this critical period.