Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure water provision, regulate its usage, and mitigate pollution during a key meeting of the Supreme Water Committee.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, a statement from the Prime Minister’s media office detailed the discussions held at the regular meeting chaired by Al Sudani. The meeting focused on agenda topics crucial for water management, leading to the adoption of relevant directives and decisions. Al Sudani underscored the importance of leveraging technology across all water usage areas to address these challenges.

The meeting approved initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change impacts on water availability. Key measures include strategic planning and financing for major projects, such as reclamation efforts and conversion to closed-loop irrigation systems. Pollution control was prioritized, with mandates for pollution reduction measures, sewage discharge management, and untreated wate
r source regulation.

The Ministry of Agriculture is tasked with adhering to the agricultural plan and advancing the agricultural card project for farmers. Furthermore, the meeting called for pump rationing on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, especially during summer, and emphasized the necessity of desalination plants in the southern governorates.

Efforts to maintain and dredge streams were highlighted, along with the use of groundwater in areas with limited surface water access. The management of the Dokan Dam is required to align absolute discharges with the National Center for Water Resources Management’s central plan.

An operational framework was established for each governorate, involving local governors and directors from various departments, including water resources, agriculture, electricity, and security forces. Additionally, a plan for wastewater treatment and reuse for agricultural purposes was proposed as part of the comprehensive strategy.