2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

IRAQ PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
When surveyed about their water services by the Ministry, 38% of urban households regarded their
water supplies as being too expensive, with 54% reporting problems in obtaining an adequate supply.
40% or urban households examined had sewage present in nearby streets.
There are 13 major sewage treatment works in Iraq, capable in theory of serving 5 million people
including three facilities that serve 3.8 million people in Baghdad. In practice, a shortage of parts,
chemicals and power means they are operating well at below capacity.
While USAID guarantees dollar payments for its work, while the rest of the programme is likely to be
financed through hard currency grants and loans. It is already evident that attacks on foreign
nationals means that carrying out the work will be at best challenging. USAID completed the
rehabilitation of the Sweet Water Canal reservoir and distribution system in Basrah in June 2004 for
US$38 million (€31.8 million). A US$11 million pilot project to restore parts of Iraq’s Southern
marshlands has been launched by the UN Environment Programme. It aims to provide potable water
and effective sanitation for 80,000 of the Marsh Arabs.
Privatising some of Iraq’s water services within a year was was being considered by the authorities in
2003, but this has become politically sensitive.
Source:
Iraq living conditions survey 2004, Volume II: Analytical Report, Ministry of Housing and Development Co-Operation / UNEP,
Baghdad, Iraq, 2005
113 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006