Al-Sudani: The solution is to turn to desalination projects to address water scarcity in Iraq.
Al-Sudani: The solution is to turn to desalination projects to address water scarcity in Iraq.
2025-07-24 02:22
Shafaq News – Basra
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated on Thursday that the federal government will resort to desalination projects to address the water scarcity problem in Basra Governorate and the rest of Iraq.
This came in a speech he delivered on the sidelines of his visit to Basra Governorate, and his launch of the executive works for the strategic seawater desalination project near the Grand Faw Port, with a total capacity of (1) million m3/day.
In his speech, Al-Sudani said that the problem of water scarcity has become deeply entrenched and will continue, and that we must maintain a high degree of clarity and credibility in this regard. He added that the solution lies in moving towards desalination projects, and that the project launched today is the first of its kind in the history of the Iraqi state, and it is hoped that such projects will be expanded in the future.
He added that the project was passed around between ministries and governments, but was delayed until the necessary conditions were met for its success and continuity. It was then transferred from the Ministry of Construction and Housing to Basra Governorate, enabling it to truly take off.
Al-Sudani also pointed out that the Iraqi government has placed the seawater desalination project at the top of its service priorities, as it represents a sustainable and radical solution.
He also said that during the project’s implementation period, small desalination plants will be built throughout the governorate to provide citizens with potable water.
The Prime Minister added that the federal government will provide the resources and capabilities to deliver services to the governorate’s residents, generate employment opportunities, and ensure a stable standard of living.
He continued by saying that the seawater desalination project will serve more than 4 million people in Basra, and it includes 3 parallel desalination lines, each with a capacity of 335 m3/day, and the possibility of future expansion, within the main reverse osmosis/RO treatment plant, and 12 on-site water tanks with a capacity of (1) million m3, in addition to the connection with 9 distribution stations and tanks throughout the governorate, and connected to them via a pipeline network of 240 kilometers, with the construction of an electrical power generation station for the project with a capacity of 300 MW, and the project will provide approximately 3,500 job opportunities for the people of the governorate.
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