Baghdad: The Iraqi Green Observatory has raised alarms over the presence of nearly 500 pollution sources affecting the Tigris River, with five governorates bearing the brunt of these environmental hazards.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Observatory revealed that the pollutants pose significant threats to public health, water security, and food security in Iraq.

The Observatory’s statement detailed the ongoing environmental violations plaguing the Tigris River, attributing them to industrial and medical waste, as well as untreated sewage. The water crisis, initially characterized by scarcity, has now escalated into a broader environmental and health emergency. Notably, Baghdad is home to 23 acute pollution hotspots, primarily sewage and medical waste outlets discharging directly into the river.

Further compounding the issue, the Diyala River contributes substantial amounts of sewage and chemical waste into the Tigris. These pollutants originate from Rusafa drainage stations, exacerbating the river’s contamination. The monitoring operations have identified hazardous chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and phthalates (DEHP), which evade removal by conventional treatment plants, thereby heightening the risk of chronic diseases and endocrine disorders.

The governorates of Basra, Baghdad, Wasit, Maysan, and Dhi Qar are identified as the most impacted by the pollution. Basra, in particular, suffers from pollutants carried by water from northern regions, which coincides with increasing salinity levels. Meanwhile, Baghdad grapples with rampant unregulated drainage outlets and pollution hotspots.

Wasit and Maysan endure the accumulation of pollutants originating from Baghdad and the Diyala River, exacerbated by low water levels and agricultural runoff. Dhi Qar faces deteriorating water quality, compounded by pollutant build-up from the lower basin in the marshlands and branch networks.