Iraq's drinking water drying up, sewage pollutes shrinking rivers

BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 14, 2010 (ENS) – Clean drinking water is an increasingly scarce resource for millions of people in Iraq, according to a new report released today by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The agency says its engineers are doing their best to improve access to safe water in the face of a volatile security situation in some areas and the rising price of fuel, which have put additional strain on already scarce services, as have population growth and displacement.

The Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, which supply most of Iraq’s drinking water, are slowly dwindling and in some areas can no longer be used as a reliable source. Across the country, the shrinking of the rivers is having serious consequences on the functioning of water treatment plants. In underground aquifers, the salt content of the water is increasing. This water is often unfit for human consumption or even for agricultural use. “Reliable access to enough water of sufficient quality remains a major challenge for large parts of the population,” said Julien Le Sourd, the ICRC’s water and habitat coordinator in Iraq. “The ICRC is doing its utmost to improve this by repairing and upgrading water supply and sewage systems. We do this in partnership with the authorities and we are also providing training for maintenance staff working in water treatment plants,” said Le Sourd. In many places, the strain is further compounded by a lack of qualified engineers and staff able to maintain and repair water and sanitation facilities. Many farming communities were hard hit by the drought that struck northern Iraq in 2008. Average rainfall over the past 10 years has been far lower than in previous decades. In the north, water supply systems fed by springs and shallows aquifers have been depleted and often have less water available to meet demand. Although rainfall has been better in many places during 2009 and 2010, low water levels continue to affect agriculture production, meaning Iraq needs to import more rice and wheat. …

Iraq’s Drinking Water Drying Up, Sewage Pollutes Shrinking Rivers