**A Preliminary Survey of Iraqi Capabilities for[:]{dir="rtl"}**

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**ASSESSment of SURFACE WATER QUALITY, IRRIGATION DIVERSIONS AND RETURN
SYSTEMS, DRINKING WATER SUPPLY QUALITY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AND
SEWAGE TREATMENT**

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[]{dir="rtl"}

**ARAB SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION**

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**Sharjah, U.A.E**

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**P.O. Box 27272**

**ASSESSment of SURFACE WATER QUALITY, IRRIGATION DIVERSIONS AND RETURN
SYSTEMS, DRINKING WATER SUPPLY QUALITY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS, AND
SEWAGE TREATMENT**

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**[PROJECT SUMMARY]{.underline}**

**PART ONE:**

**EXISTING EUPHRATES AND TIGRIS RIVERS MONITORING STATIONS AND THEIR
MONITORING CAPABILITIES**

1- **Dr. Ala\'a Hussain Al-Shami**

Manager of the Hydrological Studies Center / MoWR

[Professional Experience]{.underline}: 35 Years

[Technical Subjects]{.underline}:

Water resources development -- River engineering, Irrigation, Reservoirs
operation -- Water balance - Hydraulic works and modeling.

2- **Dr. Furat Ahmed Al-Faraj**

Deputy Manager of the hydrological studies center /MoWR

[Professional Experience]{.underline}: 25 Years

[Technical Subjects]{.underline}:

Water resources management -- River engineering and hydraulic analysis,
Irrigation, Reservoirs operation -- Water harvesting -- Water balance.

**The Availability of Previous Data**

The project covers 105 existing stream gauging sites on dams, barrages,
regulator, major rivers, tributaries, lakes and canals located in the
north, center and south of Iraq.

The study identifies the performance of the existing monitoring stations
capabilities and evaluates the existing river monitoring system.

Analysis of historical data and field visitations remarks and notes are
carried out to explore and assess their hydrological measurements
capabilities. These sites cover the following:

Dams ( U.S. and D.S. ) , barrages ( U.S. and D.S. ) , regulators , and
some main sites on Euphrates , Tigris and its tributaries .

The exploration and assessment are carried out based on the performance
of these sites to cover:

1.  Water level measurements (manual and / or automatic).

2.  Cableways for manual discharge measurements.

3.  Sampling for water quality and sediments.

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**Descriptions** **Conditions & of Existing Physical Infrastructure:**

Field visits and investigations show that there is no functional water
monitoring network existing at most sites.

The field visits were done to identify the following:

1.  Exploration of the hydrological monitoring system.

2.  Assessment of how well the system work.

3.  System performance to cover the required hydrological data to
    operate and control the dams, reservoirs, barrages, regulators and
    canals in flood and dry seasons.

Many visits were carried out during July 2004 .The visits covered some
sites in the center and south of Iraq. These are manual and automatic
staff gages and discharge sites at North Baghdad, Sarai Baghdad, Kut
barrage, Ammara city, Ali El-Gharbi regulator and Kala\'at saleh
regulator on the Tigris River.

The study shows that the water control capability in Iraq are severely
degraded by the war and the existing stream gauges have been operated
sporadically and may have been lost , looted or neglected .

[]{dir="rtl"}

[]{dir="rtl"}**Human Resources Available For Maintaining, and Managing
Data and Physical Infrastructure[:]{dir="rtl"}**

Capacity building of institution and human recourses is a key element of
formulating a water resources management strategy. Ministry of water
resources established a directorate general of water resources
management and this office consists of 5 centers which are dealing with
water resources management and are named below:

1.  Hydrological studies center.

2.  Ground water studies center.

3.  GIS center.

4.  Water control and operation center.

5.  Environmental studies center.

These centers need to be supported and reinforced by equipment,
laboratory, software, training courses, and workshops to upgrade their
capabilities to achieve the efficient water resources management.

Staff of the Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Agriculture is
capable of operating dams, regulators and barrages, gates and weirs,
pumping stations, and irrigation projects.

**The Time and Financial Resources Required For Repairs:**

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It is assumed two years approximately planning period for the entire
project to be implemented. The goal at the end of this period is to
achieve the basic requirements for the hydrological monitoring network.

The future physical and human additions to systems required for
modernization and improvement can be summarized as follows:

-   Technical and institutional capacity building to support managerial
    capacity of experts, senior staffs, and decision makers to formulate
    the national water master plan for sustainable water use and the
    long term water security of the country .

-   Improving staff capabilities and skills through short and long term
    training courses.

-   Early installed of the previous snow stations in Northern Iraq and
    provide them with new measurements equipments.

-   Improving the performance of the monitoring system.

-   Create a coherent national system of the hydrometric data
    transmission.

-   These improvements can be achieved through short and long term
    training programs including training courses, workshops, exchange
    information with neighbors' states and utilization of new simple
    technologies

The future priorities should take the following into consideration:

1.  Immediate restoration 23 stations shown in table 1.6 (first
    priority) and put into efficient operational status early.

2.  Design observation and monitoring network for long term operation.

3.  Snow stations in the northern Iraq should be reinstalled early and
    provide with snow equipment measurements.

4.  Transboundary water issues on Tigris and Euphrates rivers with the
    neighbors states (Turkey, Syria, and Iran )

However, it is hard for the time being to make an estimate of the total
cost required. Local companies and technician staff are capable of doing
the job.

**Human Resources Required For Full Operations:**

  ----------------------- -------------------- -------------------------- ------------ ---------------------
  **[No.]{.underline}**   **Specialization**   **Qualifications and       **Required   **Period of Work**
                                               experience**               NO**         

  *1*                     International        University degree in       1            *1*
                          Hydrologist          Hydrology or Water                      
                                               resources with an                       
                                               experience of at least 10               
                                               years in Hydrology with                 
                                               particular reference to                 
                                               the establishment of                    
                                               hydrological networks.                  

  *2*                     National Team leader University degree in       3            *2*
                                               Hydrology or Water                      
                                               resources with an                       
                                               experience of at least 10               
                                               years.                                  

  *3*                     Deputy National Team University degree in       3            *3*
                          leader               Hydrology or Water                      
                                               resources with an                       
                                               experience of at least 10               
                                               years.                                  

  *4*                     National             University degree in       6            *4*
                          Hydrologists         Hydrology with a minimum                
                                               of 5 years of professional              
                                               experience.                             

  *5*                     National Hydraulic   University degree in       3            *5*
                          Engineer             Hydraulic Engineering with              
                                               at least 5 years of                     
                                               professional experience.                

  *6*                     National civil       University degree in civil 3            *6*
                          Engineer             Engineering with at least               
                                               5 years of professional                 
                                               experience.                             

  *7*                     National Mechanical  University degree in       3            *7*
                          Engineer             Mechanical Engineering                  
                                               with at least 5 years of                
                                               professional experience.                

  *8*                     National Electronic  University degree in       3            *8*
                          and Electric         Electric Engineering with               
                          Engineer             at least 5 years of                     
                                               professional experience.                

  *9*                     National Surveying   University degree in       3            18
                          Engineer             Surveying Engineering with              []{dir="rtl"}months
                                               at least 5 years of                     
                                               professional experience.                

  *10*                    National computer    University degree in       5            2 []{dir="rtl"}years
                          operator             computer science with at                
                                               least 5 years of                        
                                               professional experience.                

  *11*                    Skilled              At least 5 years of        6            18
                          Tech[.]{dir="rtl"}   professional experience in              []{dir="rtl"}months
                                               installation and operation              
                                               of equipment.                           
  ----------------------- -------------------- -------------------------- ------------ ---------------------

**An Assessment of Future Physical and Human Additions to Systems
Required For Modernization and Improvement:**

The study named 23 existing gauging stations and proposed them to
represent the first priority phase for the immediate restoration.

The importance of this study is clearly indicated by the importance role
of real -- time river monitoring stations and forecasting system for
national water allocation, water control operations, optimization of
reservoir operation, irrigation and drought contingency planning as well
as water availability forecasting.

# 

# PART TWO: 

# IRRIGATION DIVERSIONS AND RETURN SYSTEMS IN IRAQ

**Project Team (Parts 2, 3, and 4):**

1.  **Prof. Dr. Mukdad Hussein Ali AL-JABBARI** **(PI)**

Ph.D. in Water Resources Analysis and Environment (Dundee University
1978, UK), College of Science, University of Baghdad. Expert in managing
water resources projects. Published 140 scientific papers in Iraqi,
Arab, and International Journals. Manager of more than 50 scientific
projects dealing with water, environmental problems, water quality and
pollution. Supervised of 30 MSc. and Ph.D theses. His involvement in the
project was in leading and coordinating work of Co's-PI and other staff
of the project and sharing member team in preparing the final report.

2.  **Prof. Dr. Ahmed Hayder AL-ZUBAIDI** **(Co-PI)**

Ph. D. in Soil Chemistry (University of Moscow). Dean, College of
Agriculture, University of Baghdad. Expert, Soil salinization and
desalinization, and water quality. He has been involved in many national
programs deal with agricultural problems as well as graduate studies.
Published 103 scientific papers and 5 text books. Supervised of 21 MSc.
and 9 PhD. theses. His involvement in the project was on review
available data, analysis data, sharing groups in the study tours, and
preparing of final report.

3.  **Dr. Ali Abid FAHAD** **(Co-PI)**

Ph.D. in Soil Physics and Water Management (University of Nebraska,
USA). Head, Center of Soil and Water Resources, Ministry of Science and
Technology. Chief Researcher. Expert, Soil and Water Resources. He has
been involved in several master projects on national and international
levels deal with fate, dispersion, and transport of contaminants from
different sources (fallout radionuclides, chemicals) in soil and water
body and use of saline water for irrigation. Published 80 papers in
referred journals and nearly 50 internal major and technical reports.
Top Scientists Award for Iraqi Scientist Competition for 2001 and 2002.
Awarded Arab Organization Award for outstanding research in field of
water use efficiency 2002. His involvement in the project was on review
available data, analysis data, sharing groups in the study tours, and
preparing the final report.

4.  **Prof. Dr. Moutaz Abdul Sattar AL-DABBAS** **(Co-PI)**

PhD. in Hydrochemistry & Environment pollution (Dundee University,
UK1980), Science College, University of Baghdad. Expert in project field
management, surveying water hydrochemical analysis and the interrelation
between groundwater and surface water. Field manager of Sawfan-Zubair
groundwater project 1987-1989. Expert, FAO program on the rural
Development of Alahwar Region 1987-1998 as a joint project with Iraqi
Scientific Council. Supervised of 18 Msc. and Ph.D. students. Published
of 60 papers in referred journals, 18 interrnal reports, and 2 books.
His involvement in the project was on review available data, analysis
data, sharing groups in the study tours, and preparing of final report.

**Source of Data and its Medium[:]{dir="rtl"}**

The main source of data for dams, regulators, barrages, and drainage
systems are the Ministry of Water Resources. The source of data on
irrigation projects is the Ministry of Planning. Information regarding
the characteristics of drainage water discharges into the Tigris and
Euphrates and of the Main Drain is internal reports of Ministry of Water
Resources, thesis, and published papers. In general, the data available
on this part of the Water Project is in hard copies**.**

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**Descriptions and Conditions of Existing Physical
Infrastructure[:]{dir="rtl"}**

**Dams**: The construction of large dams and water regulation systems
was a major component of an active water development scheme planned on
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Iraq. The goal of this scheme was to
provide economic development within the country through control and
manage of water flow in diversions during seasons and generate
large-scale irrigation projects and electricity. Several huge dams and
water reservoirs have been constructed on the Euphrates and Tigris and
its tributaries, while others still under construction. The on-river
dams constructed on the Tigris and its tributaries include: Dokan on the
lesser Zab, Darbandikhan and Hemrin on the Diyala River, Mosul, and
Badoosh on the Tigris River, Bukhma on the Great Zab River, and Adhaim
on the Adhaim River. (Work on the proposed dam on the Great Zab River at
Bakhma has stoppedfor the present situation). The dams on the Euphrates
include Haditha and Baghdadi.

Two-off rivers storage lakes have been created with the construction of
the Tharthar dam (85.6 Bm^3^) in the Tigris river basin which is filled
with the Wadi Tharthar waters, and the Habbaniya dam (3.27 Bm^3^) which
is filled from the Euphrates waters and which is drains again into the
Euphrates down stream.

The total on- and off-river storage capacity for the Tigris will amount
to 127 Bm^3^, of which 77.1 Bm^3^ are active storage. The total on the
Euphrates are 12.07 Bm^3^ with 11.18 Bm^3^ as active storage. Most of
the constructed dams are rock fill type and include: Darbandikhan,
Hemrin, Mosul, Bakhma, Adhaim, and Baghdadi. Others are earth embankment
and include Dohok and Haditha. The Dokan dam is a concrete type. The
constructed dams were designed to capture flow waters, regulate flow
into diversions, and generate electricity.

Numerous earth dams had been constructed in the west desert since 1973.
Their storage capacity varied from 0.3 Mm­3 (Sary) to 32 Mm^3^ (Rutba)
with catchments areas of 1,000 and 3,000 km^2^, respectively. Many small
dams have been constructed on the mouth of wades. However, it was
estimated that the volume of water collected by water harvesting dams at
nearly 870 Mm^3^ annually.

**Barrages:** The water of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is regulated
by means of dams, reservoirs, and barrages. Numerous barrages have been
installed on the Tigris and Euphrates and elaborate network of canals to
permit irrigation of the alluvial plains between the two rivers. Two
main barrages systems are currently operating on the Tigris River; the
Sammara Barrage System and Kut Barrage System. The Sammarra Barrage
System regulates flow by the following six barrages: Sammarra, Tharthar
Inlet, Ishaki, Tharthar Lake, Takseem, and Tharthar Tigris Inlet. The
Kut Barrage System includes three main barrages: Kut, Main Gharraf and
Dijail. On the Main Gharraf, five regulators were installed downstream
the Gharraf River. Similarly, three regulators were installed on the
Dijail Barrage. Design discharge of the barrages on the Tigris River
ranged from 80 - 9,000 m^3^/s. The oldest barrages were the Kut and
Garraf constructed in 1939 and recent ones were the Tharthar-Tigris
Inlet and Takseem constructed in 1987.

Three main barrages were constructed on the Euphrates River: Ramadi
Barrage System, Falluja Barrage System, and Hindiya Barrage System.. The
first one includes the barrages of Ramadi, Warrar, Dubban and Mujurrah
with design discharge ranged from 850 - 3,000 m^3^/s. The second
includes the barrages of Falluja, Falluja-Iskandariya, Sedimentation
Basin, and Falluja-Iskandariya Canal. The design discharge of Falluja
Barrage System ranged from 8.7- 3,600 m^3^/s. The third main barrage on
the Euphrates River is the Hindiya Barrage System which includes five
barrages of new Hindiya, Shatt Alhilla, New Husayniya, Beni-Hasan and
Kifil. Their design discharge ranged from 36 and 2,500 m^3^/s. All these
barrages were constructed in 1989. Besides the barrages constructed on
the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. There are barrages constructed on the
tributaries of the Tigris River and include barrages installed on the
Diyala and Lesser Zab. The Diyala Barrage System on the Diyala River
includes six barrages with design discharge ranged from 1 - 2,550
m^3^/s. On the other hand, the Dibis Barrage System on the lesser Zab
River includes two barrages with design discharge ranged from 278- 4,000
m^3^/s.

**Irrigation Projects:** Many irrigation projects were set up in Iraq
during the last decades to meet the growing need of water for
agricultural production. The design and construction of most projects
were made by foreign companies. However, the work on consulting
engineering services was mostly carried out under the supervision and
guidance of governmental staff. Some of the constructed projects were
associated with drainage systems and supplied with the requirements of
irrigation, drainage, disposal of drainage water and maintenance
machinery.

An overview of the projects indicates that there are big projects with
total cultivated areas of 147,050 ha (Amara Irrigation, Meesan
Governorate) and 290 225 ha (Kirkuk Irrigation, Taamim Governorate). On
the other hand, there are small projects with total cultivated areas of
175 ha (Hummayra, Ninawa Governorate) and 278 ha (Abu-Mnaiseer, Anbar
Governorate).

The total cultivated and reclaimed areas for the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers basins is estimated at 3,998,820 ha, all of it being equipped for
full or partial control of irrigation. At the same time, only 700,319 ha
of the total cultivated are reclaimed (under some sort of drainage).
However, it should be noted that all these areas are not actually
irrigated, since part of them have been abandoned due to water logging
and salinity. Precise data on such abandoned areas are not available.

The currently available irrigation projects are equipped with pumping
stations required for water lifting to deliver irrigation water into
canals and channels. Total number of pumping stations is 115 equipped
with 501 pumps varied in capacity between 0.05 and 30 m^3^ /s.

Several irrigation projects have been planned aim at improving the
economic and social welfare of farmers. Feasibility studies of these
projects are available. However, because of lacking funds and some other
reasons, these projects remained either none constructed or in the early
stage of construction.

Data on the projects irrigated by either drip or sprinkler irrigation
systems managed by the government are divided into projects initiated
before 2000 and those after 2000. For the projects initiated before
2000, most of them are small (3 to 500 ha) with the exception of two
projects: Kirkuk, Taamim Governorate (7,500 ha) and north Jazirah,
Ninawa Governorate (42,500 ha). The latter has been established in late
eighties of the past century as supplementary irrigation in rain fed
area of the northern part of the country. The project included the
construction of net of concrete lined irrigation channels and flumes and
supplied with movable lateral sprinkler irrigation system. The operation
of the systems encountered some technical difficulties after 1990
because of lacking maintenance and spare parts due to sanction.

A national program on the "Development of Irrigation Technology" has
been initiated in 2000 for modernization of agriculture. The project is
based on the supplying of sprinkler systems on subsidized prices to
farmers and providing other agricultural inputs. Farmers in seven
governorates got the benefit of the project where 6,444 units of
sprinkler systems (center pivot and permanent) have distributed to cover
10,078 ha during 2000-2002. The major crops were wheat, corn, cotton and
sunflower and the source of irrigation water was river (Tigris or
Diyala) or wells.

**Drainage Systems:** Salinity has always been a major issue in
irrigated lands of Iraq and recorded as a cause of crop yield
reductions. Estimation has shown that 4% of the irrigated areas are
severely saline, 50% medium saline and 20% slightly saline, i.e., a
total of 74% of the irrigated areas suffered from some degree of
salinity. To cope with the problem of salinity in central and southern
Iraq, installation of open and field drains has been undertaken. By
1989, a total of nearly 700,000 ha had been covered by the drainage
systems. The constructed drains were designed to convey their flow into
the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. This situation resulted in reduce
quality of fresh water and further in deterioration of river water in
some locations. One among solutions to improve the quality of rivers
water and reduced salinity of agricultural land was the construction of
the Main Outfall Drain between the Tigris and Euphrates.

Numerous drains were constructed to deliver saline drainage waters into
the Tigris River and its tributaries. However, most of the drains
connected to the tributaries were insignificant in terms of discharge
magnitude and salinity. There are currently five main drains discharged
into the right bank and eleven into the left bank of the Tigris River.
On the other hand, there are 16 main drains on the Euphrates River, of
which 13 drains are discharged water into the river by pumps and the
remaining 3 by gravity. In addition to the 16 main drains, there are
small drains, which they serve areas adjacent to the river.

Based on discharge rate and salinity of the drains and their impact on
the Euphrates River, these drains are grouped into two, Low and High
Discharge Drains (LDD, HDD). It is evident that all the drains on the
north and middle parts of the Euphrates River are grouped as LDD where
the discharge rates ranged between 1.5 and 12 m^3^/s. On the other hand,
the three drains of High Discharge are on the south part of the river
with discharge rates between 18 and 57 m^3^/s. The grand mean of the HDD
was order of magnitude greater than the LDD. The values of the TDS for
the two groups are comparable. It is believed that the point where the
three drains (Khasaf, West Shamiya and East Shamiya) are discharged into
the river is the inflection point of major change in quality of river
water downstream.

In simple calculation, the total amounts of drainage water pumped into
the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are nearly 10.2 Bm^3^ annually. The
number of pumping stations is 55 include 212 pumps varied in discharge
rates between 2.8 and 48.9 m^3^/s with a total discharge of 322.2
m^3^/s. At the present time the condition of most pumps is bad and the
repair is required. Similarly, the total amounts of drainage water flow
into the Euphrates River from the gravity drains (Khasaf, West Shamiya
and East Shamiya) are nearly 1.2 Bill m^3^ annually.

The largest single project, the Main Outfall Drain, was first suggested
in 1951. But, the entire project was not completed until December 1992.
The huge drain nearly 565 km in length, runs south from the end of
Ishaki Drain near Baghdad down the right side of Dalmaj Lake. It
continues down the right bank of the Shatt Al Gharraf and crosses the
Euphrates via an inverted huge siphon beneath the river bed just east of
Nassiriya. It then skirts round the southwestern edge of Hour Al Hammar,
crosses the southeast corner of the Hour Al Hammara, and finally joins
up with the Shatt Al Basra canal (man-made canal) which links the
southeast corner of Haur Al Hammara to the head of the Gulf via Khawr
Abdulla. The following drains sequentially join its watercourse: Abu
Ghraib, Radwaniya, Yosifiya, Mahmodiya, Latifiya and Great Musayab. At
the end of Great Musayab Drain, the drains Dalmaj Project Drain, and Al
Gharraf Drain join the Main Drain. The current discharge at the siphon
is less than 200 m^3^/s and salinity 5000-7000 mg/L.

The existing irrigation canals and farm channels, open drains, gates and
weirs in the country are suffering from serious problems. Most of the
water transporting system is very old and based on earth canal with
great deal of seepage. The lined ones and the flumes are limited in
number and length and found only in some projects. At the same time,
many of them are concrete failure canals. Similarly, most of the open
drains are no exception and suffer from weeds and lack maintenance.

**Visited sites:**

The existing irrigation canals and farm channels, open drains, gates and
weirs in the country are suffering from serious problems. Most of the
water transporting system is very old and based on earth canal with
great deal of seepage. The lined ones and the flumes are limited in
number and length and found only in some projects. At the same time,
many of them are concrete failure canals. Similarly, most of the open
drains are no exception and suffer from weeds and lack of maintenance.

The pictures caption presented in the report are only examples and have
been taken from irrigated areas near Yossifiya (30 km southwest Baghdad)
and Abu-Ghraib (25 km west Baghdad). Similar deterioration in the
irrigation canals, drains, failure concrete canals, destructed weirs and
gates are found in many places in the country. Therefore, the presented
picture captions reflect a common situation in the irrigation projects
distributed all over the country. Because of security reason at present
time, it is hard to make visits far and deep in the country side.

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**Time and Financial Resources Required for Repair**

Most of the irrigation areas suffer from water logging and salinization
due to failing drainage pumps, frequent power cuts and breakdown in the
irrigation systems. Problems are compounded further by looting and lack
of replacement and maintenance. There should be an emergency needs for
repair and rehabilitation programs to solve small-scale problems in big
irrigation projects as well as small farms. This short term requirements
(emergency) include repair and maintenance of:

-   Irrigation pumping stations,

-   Diversion structure,

-   Lined and flumes irrigation canals,

-   Earth canals,

-   Weirs,

-   Drainage pumping stations,

-   Open and field drains.

It is expected that one-year program is sufficient to deal with repair
and maintenance. However, it is hard for the time being to make an
estimate of the total cost required. Local companies and technician
staff are capable of doing the job.

**Human Resources Available for Maintaining and Managing Data and
Physical Infrastructure:**

Staff of the Ministry of Water Resources is in charge of water resources
development, irrigation and drainage development, as well as its
operation and maintenance. The major functions are to assess water
requirements and resources, control running water, reservoirs, wetland
and marshes, underground water, operation of dams, canals and drainage
systems, soil conservation, classification, land evaluation and use. The
Ministry is executing most of the water resources development projects
with the assistance of a number of state companies. At the present time
staff of the Ministry of Agricultural has been involved in drilling
irrigation wells and operating and consulting of modern irrigation
systems under the umbrella of national program.

**Human Resources Required for Full Operation:**

Staffs of the Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Agriculture
are capable of operating dams, regulators and barrages, gates and weirs,
pumping stations, and irrigation projects.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**Assessment of Future Physical and Human Additions to Systems Required
for Modernization and Improvement[:]{dir="rtl"}**

The medium term needs for modernization and improvement of irrigation
diversions and drainage systems is a comprehensive program covers the
following:

-   Construction and installation of concrete lined canals and flumes in
    the irrigated areas.

-   Installation of the required regulation systems and gates.

-   Construction of the required drainage systems (open and field) in
    the irrigated areas.

-   Adaptation of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in the irrigated
    areas for efficient use of the available water and to minimize soil
    salinization.

-   Divert drains particularly those of significant discharge into the
    Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to a watercourse or any depression area
    to improve quality of rivers water.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**Part THREE:**

**EXISTING dinking water treatment facilities, TREATMENT capabilities,
and drinking water delivery system**

**Availability of previous data:**

Before the second Gulf War, it is reported that the water sector in Iraq
was operating efficiently, utilizing then-current technology. According
to several sources, including UN reports, safe potable water was
accessible by about 88% and 65% of the urban and rural areas
respectively , and a total of 218 water treatment plants and 1191
compact water treatment units were in operation.

After the second Gulf War the urban water service coverage declined to
less than 70% and the rural coverage dropped to 40%, with the daily per
capita water supply dropping to 150 liters in Baghdad, 100 liters in
other cities and towns, and 60 liters in rural areas. However, before
the third gulf war not all plants were providing an acceptable level of
treatment, were, 177 water treatment plants assessed, 34 were classified
as good, 98 as acceptable, and 45 as poor. As a result of the
international sanctions followed the second gulf war, the water sectors
suffered dramatically, resulting in a drop of water treatment plants
performance efficiencies by more than 30%. The introduction of the
Oil-for-Food program (which is started in 1995) arrested the decline of
the water sectors. Between 1996 and early 2003, there was marginal
improvement in water treatment, production, distribution networks. The
deteriorated leaking sewer pipes that are contaminating the potable
water networks and the underground water are further adding to the
health and environmental problems. It is estimated that 50% of the
generated waste water in Iraq was being discharged to rivers and water
ways every day without any treatment. Before the third gulf war, a
3-month supply of consumables was distributed to all Governorates for
the operation of water treatment Plants, contingency plans were put in
place and additional generators provided at water treatment plants. The
supplies were close to being exhausted in the period after the conflict
but due to the preparation, the water systems were maintained.

As a result of the third gulf war, the situation in the water sector has
deteriorated dramatically. In general, the plant performance differences
of the water facilities highly deteriorated compared to the pre-war
situation. There was serious damage to the water networks, resulting in
contaminated water supply at the consumer end. This was exacerbated by
increasing cross contamination of the water supply and the collapse of
the sewage treatment plants increasing dramatically the amount of raw
sewage being discharged directly into the rivers, i.e. Sewage from
Baghdad city alone was contributing about 70% of all sewage discharged
without any adequate treatment into the Tigris River. During these
period diseases related to unsafe water reached alarming rates.

This situation was further exacerbated by the direct damage of power
supply stations, office buildings, and other infrastructure. Widespread
looting, the collapse of management systems and operation, and lack of
maintenance all contributed to the dilapidated state of the sector in
the aftermath of war. Compounding these problems has been the attendant
lack of security, mainly in the 15 central and Southern
governorates**.**

Since the end of the third gulf war, many rehabilitation activities and
measures has been taken by the local governmental water authorities with
the help of the international societies and donor countries as well as
by the NGOs to improve and maintain the status of all kinds of water
treatment plants. However, the ministry of municipalities and public
works planned strategic targets which are to provide potable water for
all Iraqis personals all over the county. The proposed volume of potable
water, according to this strategy, varies according to the density of
populations, nature of the governorate and the physiographic condition
of the proposed area, as follows:

-   450 liters per day were proposed for people living in the main
    cities.

-   350 liters per day were proposed for people living in towns and main
    villages.

-   250 liter per day was proposed for people living in rural area**.**

However, the available data indicate that meeting such targets by the
water authorities were difficult in most of the governorates over Iraq
with exceptional few sites. The water sector systems in Iraq were
designed to be on three levels:

-   Those represented by limited numbers of main water treatment plants
    to serve main cities and towns of high populations.

-   Those represented by large numbers of compact units of different
    sizes, shapes, capacities and manufactures to serve cities and towns
    of less populations, mainly in the suburb area.

-   Those represented by very limited numbers local movable desalination
    units which spouse to serve people in rural areas and low population
    far away villages.

> However, the data representing the main water treatment plant within
> the 15 central / southern governorates in Iraq were given (in the main
> report) representing the actual currently conditions in the water
> sector in Iraq over the years 2003-2004. All results indicate that
> only few plants were functioning to the targets set by the water
> authorities and indicate the required volume of water to reach these
> targets. Also the results indicate the need of expansion in all
> existent water plants to reach the demand for drinking water at 2010.
> (taking in consideration the rate of increasing in population 3.2% a
> year ). The main conclusion coming out of these facts is that all
> these water treatment plants need great program of rehabilitations as
> well as establishing many other new water treatment plants in order to
> serve the Iraqis by required volumes of potable water.

The total number of the main water treatments in Iraq is 230 plants.
These plants were not distributed evenly among the governorate but they
were varies in their number and capacities according to the variation in
populations in each province. However, the expected total volume of
water from these water treatment plants to varies between 24696\*1000
m^3^/year to 301886\*1000 m^3^/ year with gross total of water volume
reach to 1601968\*1000 m^3^/ year. Variation in number of water
treatment plants and in their capacities is due to many changes which
took place over the last decades were some compact units transferred to
act as water treatment plants after some changes and modifications and
at the same times some of the water treatment plants being neglected,
destroyed, or abundant.

The total number of the compact units are 1370 with total design
capacities of 368374\*1000 m^3^/ year while the actual total volumes of
potable water being gained from these units is equal to 313860\*1000
m^3^/ year .

The total design capacities of all water treatment plants as well as
those compact units reach to 2145516\*1000 m^3^/ year, while the actual
volume of water being gained from all these plants and units is
1915828\*1000 m^3^/ year.

Comparing of 2004 data with those published in 2000 indicate that there
are general increase in the number and capacities of the water treatment
plants and the compact units in many governorates unlike other
governorate were there are decrease in their number and capacities. The
status efficiencies of the water treatment plant which were ranging
between 45 - 80% has, generally, increase in 2004 to be in the range
between 65 -- 90%. Similar conclusion can be drawn as far as compact
units are concern. However, few governorates got their water treatment
plants and compact unites using ground water (wells). Some of the water
treatment plants and compact units in the northern governorates use
reservoir water.

Up to September 2004, five desalination units were installed in Iraq
with a capacity of 5 m^3^ / H as a first step for a big program of using
this technology: In the coming few months of the year 2004, their will
be another 50 desalination unites, most of them have a capacity no less
than 25 m^3^/ H and some will have a capacity of 200 m^3^/ H. These
desalination unites use the techniques of (RO). However, the only
constrain on using this promising technology is the costly financing.

**Description of the Existing Physical Infrastructure, its Conditions:**

Most of water treatment plants were commissioned between 1950 and 1985
and were partially modified between 1976 and 1982. Many of plants and
network designed during this period need rehabilitation of the
structure, and equipment. Theoretically the life time of these plants is
estimated at 15-25 years, assuming proper maintenance, but the
anticipated life time has been shortened by lack of maintenance and
improper operation. Most of these plants can not currently cope with the
increased demand and could not meet it even if they were successfully
rehabilitation. Only the addition of new treatment units and solid
program of repair and expansion can increase their capacity efficiently.
A large number of water compact units are inefficient and poorly
maintained and are generally operate by local communities. Although some
of these compact unites are new, the rest can be categorized as needing
repair or replacement. Many of these should be replaced by regular water
treatment units. Their operations are at present based on direct
pumping, which is dependent on a reliable power supply. Direct pumping
also creates more stress on the units, resulting in frequent breakdowns
reducing the lifespan of the pumps.

A substantial amount of water is lost during distribution to consumers.
Water losses through the network were in the order of 45-60% and due to
the rehabilitation programs during (2003-2004) this percentage decreased
at present became to be in the order of (10-25%). These percentages were
not estimated but approximately according to the experiences of the
local water authorities according to the required maintenance program
for the local networks and the age of these networks.

The distribution networks were constructed in a piecemeal fashion
without any real planning or respect of proper design standards. The
network of Baghdad consists of 7.190 km of pipe with diameters ranging
from 10 cm to 1.6 meters and made of ductile iron 2.400 km, steel 290
km, asbestos cement 3.700 km and cast iron 800 km. The average age of
the pipes is 10-15 years for galvanized steel, 10 to 25 years for
ductile iron, 35 years for steel, and 30 years for asbestos cement and
40 years for cast iron. The total length of piping in the Center and
South region (Baghdad mayoralty not included) is the order of 28.000 km,
5.500 km of asbestos cement pipe, 10.000 km of ductile iron, 2.800 km of
cast iron, 8.300 km of PVC, 1.200 km of steel and 300 km of pipe made
from other material.

The primary impact of the thirds gulf war on the Physical infrastructure
has been extensive through looting, shortage in the power supply, and
lack of the maintenance. The looting of offices furniture, equipment,
stationary and loss of data and records has created grate difficulties
for the functioning and operation of the water authority management
units. Additionally, the looting of transport vehicles, service trucks
and tankers, consumables, spare parts, maintenance tools, monitoring
equipment, safety equipment, and laboratory testing equipment and
materials had a severe impact on the functioning of the operation of
water treatment plants and compact units within the water sector. The
unavailability of continuous power supply and lack of security has also
compounded the problems and crippled the ability of the ministries and
water authorities to manage and operate basic services. The water
network suffered greatly from bomb damage, resulting in acute shortages
of water supply leading to people braking into the networks. As such,
the pressures in the water network are low and water cannot normally
reach the elevated water tanks at residential homes. This has also
exposed the network to contamination from damaged sewers, polluted
ground, and stagnant sewage.

Electrical power, crucial for the efficient operation of water
facilities, fell from 4.400 megawatts (MW) per day to between
3.500-3.000 MW after the war in the country, and currently 50 per-cent
of power cuts exists in the country, reducing power availability to
about one third of the prewar situation. In addition, transmission lines
collapsed, substations were severely damaged, cables were looted, and
many essential spare parts such as cables, joints, are in short supply.
Consequently, power outages are forcing shutdown of the many water
treatment plants.

The water authorities set up maximum TDS values of 1500 (PPM) to be
accepted as drinking water. However, the Iraqi standard for drinking
water gives 1000 (PPM) as a maximum value for TDS. Because of high
demand on potable water and because of the general decreasing in the
capacities of the water treatment plants and compact unites which all do
not meet the require demand on potable water for many reasons, thus, the
water authorities increase the level of accepted TDS values to 1500
(PPM) as a temporary solution for the existing situation in the water
sector. The variation in the TDS values within the water treatment
plants among some governorates were less than 1500 mg/l which indicate
their (suitability) for drinking by human beings as far as the TDS
parameter is concern unlike the situation in most of Iraqi southern
governorates (their are many factors may affect these results). The raw
material being used in purification process shows that there are
shortages in the amount of the main chemicals which should be used in
the purification processes in most of the governorate (which can be
attributed to many factors). However, There is a lot of doubt in the
accuracy of given figures concerning the water quality, because there
are many international reports stating an alarming figures of diseases
related to drinking water in Iraq while those figures been given to us
state that the drinking water is good.

**Interviewed Officials:**

Personnel communications have been made with the following key officials
in Baghdad and other governorates:

-   Mr. Saad Bahnam (General Manager, Drinking Water Project within
    Baghdad Mayoralty).

-   Mr. Zeki Matar (General Manager, Drinking Water Project within
    Baghdad Governorate).

-   Miss Haifaa Jumaa Kadhum (Planning Manager,Drinking Water Projects
    in Iraq).

-   Mr. Mahmood Ali Ahmad (Director General, Drinking Water Projects in
    Iraq)

**The time and finance resources required for repair:**

The Proposed Budget for each of the central and Southern governorates
and national budget was developed through an over all strategic
direction and priorities set up by the water authorities. The estimated
budget for each of the year 2004 and 2005 is 152 billion Iraqi diners to
cover the operations , maintenance costs , addressing the emergency
rehabilitation needs as well as establishing a new water treatment
plants and compact units *[( each 1500 I D equal one U S D
)]{.underline}*. It is recognized that these estimates may be low
compared with actual needs but these are considered realistic at the
current time. The estimated budgets will change as major projects and
priorities are further defined. However, promising programs were set up
for the year 2004 and 2005 which includes two paths:

-   Operation, maintenance and genuine rehabilitation of all existed
    water treatment plants as well as the compact unite.

-   Establishing a new treatment plants as well as new compact unites.

Actual program of work is started to cerate large number of new
treatment plants as well as new compact unites were within most of the
governorates. This program contains 31 projects which is distributed
over 2 successive calendar years the 2004 and 2005. However each of the
governorates got a budget equal to almost ( *[one billion I
D]{.underline}*) to carry on their maintenance and rehabilitation
programs for their existed water treatment plants as well as their
compact unites, i.e. extension of the water networks, fencing to protect
of plants and units, building stores, changing slops of the ground,
building offices , changing pipes, different local civil engineering
works, building pavements, change or repairs of electrical and
mechanical installation, increase the capacity of the electrical power
generator, changing the pumps, maintaining the water intakes sites .

**Human resources availability for maintaining and managing data and
physical infrastructure:**

Before the third gulf war, the human resources within the water sector
were of attention. There was a huge shortage of staff within this
sector. This shortage highlights the acute problem. It is difficult to
recommend the required level of staffing to efficiently operate and
maintain the water sector services. Several factors have major effect on
the required level of staffing including the covered area, organization
and management structure, system complexity age, capabilities efficiency
of staff...etc. However, several different criteria are adopted
worldwide for comparative measurement of the required level of staffing.
These include connections per employee, population per employee, water
supplied per employee, pipeline length per employee. It is recommended
that a detailed study on staffing needs be conducted based on the
mentioned criteria. The main areas that experienced shortages were
managerial position, technical staff and technicians. A number of
factors contribute to this shortage of key staff. The low government
salaries offered could have deterred candidates as could the social
stigma attached to working for the sector.

On inspection of the profile of workers within this sector, it is clear
that the average age of employees is on the high side. Many of the staff
is close to retirement, adding further to the problem and resulting in a
particular shortage of staff to fill higher-level positions. Although
recruitment focused on universities and colleges, graduates are not
adequately trained to enter senior level positions. It could be this
lack of expert managerial staff that led to the management of the water
supply institutions being highly centralized.

A solution employed in the recent past has been to contract out part of
the maintenance work and to hire temporary staff. This, however, was a
very short-term solution to a very long-term problem. The temporary
staff was even more poorly trained, but paid at rates above the
government levels. The lack of training amongst staff within the sector
was also a key problem. The lack of training received by staff that
operated the rural water systems resulted in inadequate maintenance of
the facilities. In conclusion, many issues including recruitment
strategies, staffing levels and training inadequacies resulted in poor
management of the human resources within the water sector. The following
areas fell short of existing expertise:

-   Complex infrastructure development management.

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-   Operational management.

-   Process engineering.

-   Information technology management.

-   Master planning, conducting studies, designs, computer modeling.

Because of the depletion of capacity at governorate level in the last
decades, effective management of water services in Iraq has required a
fairly large degree of direction from Baghdad. The governorates are
dependent on Baghdad for their budget and most of their supplies;
including critical items such as chlorine gas for water treatment.
Technically qualified personnel are appointed by Baghdad in consultation
with local authorities and work under the supervision and direction of
the more highly qualified and experienced staff in Baghdad.

The Director Generals are located in Baghdad and direct the delivery of
public services through the Directors of water, in the Governorates.
Those Directors head teams of technicians who manage the day-to-day
operations of the Ministry at governorate level.

The total number of personals working officially in the water sector of
Iraq up to 15 July 2004 within all Iraqi governorates is 13410 persons.
The total numbers of different kind of engineers are 589;
technisions7885, financing officers 1175, ordinary officers 893 and
others are 3109. However, there are other tenth of thousands of peoples
working \\in the water sectors as local temporary daily paid persons;
also, there are tens of local privet groups working in this sector as
well.

**Resources required for full operation:**

The Human resources required for full operations for water treatment
plants are 11630 for 230 water treatment plants and the total number of
personals required are for 12260 1370 compact unites).Thus the total
number of personals required is 23890 for the entire water sector in
Iraq. In conclusion there is still a great shortage in the personals
required in the sector of water in Iraq, especially, in engineers.

**Future physical and human additions to systems required for
modernization and improvement:**

The future physical and human additions to systems required for
modernization and improvement were given in some sections of this report
in detail. However, the future priorities should be based on the
followings:

Institutional improvements:

-   Reconstructing institutions, and improving staff capacity and
    capabilities.

-   Improving and raising staff capability through training.

-   Integrating and utilizing information technology facilities in
    planning, operation and maintenance.

Physical improvements include:

-   Improving the efficiency of the distribution system.

-   Expanding water supply coverage in both urban and rural areas.

These improvements activities can progress through short and long term
programs which concentrate on the restoration of conditions to pre-war
conditions (2004 and 2005) and expand the services in all Iraqi
governorates in coming few years through:

-   Reconstruct institutions and improve staff capacity and
    capabilities.

-   Raise potable water access in urban and in rural areas.

-   Capacity building and enhanced (computerized) management system.

-   Reduce water loss.

Priority determination requires improved sector surveillance and the
monitoring of chemical and biological indicators. Iraqis focused mainly
on water production, pumping efficiency, water loss and water quality
primarily at the production stage. More needs to be done to monitor
disparities in water availability at the community and family levels and
water quality and use in the home, and hygiene practices. More use can
also be made of monitoring for strategic planning and management of the
sector, at all levels. However, the supply is not totally available now
and the quality is suspect as well. The existing supply system is
stretched to its limit and system strengthening master planning is
required before coverage can be increased by any significant percentage.
City master plans have to be completed before accurate figures on the
incremental costs of service coverage can be given. Infrastructure will
required larger feeder water mains, service reservoirs to balance daily
and hourly flows and the provision of dividing the area in to pressure
zones and install control valves to allow the isolation of supply zones
and mains for repairs and maintenance. To raise coverage levels across
the country, supplies to rural area and villages will have to be
improved. Many small towns and villages are served by tankers traveling
many miles to provide potable water with an average frequency of once a
week. In areas of saline ground water, to improve coverage will require
the installation of treatment plants such as reverse osmosis.

Many factors have been identified to ensure better functioning of water
sector system in Iraq:

-   Repair of the water distribution networks to ensure that safe water
    actually reaches families.

-   Full inspection and mapping of the networks.

-   Water losses of the potable water produced from the water treatment
    plants. Reducing water losses will:

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-   Increasing coverage because there is more water available.

-   Reducing operational costs because less water is required.

-   Reducing the risk of illness because leaks into the system are
    repaired preventing contamination of potable water.

Finally, reducing water loss will require leak detection devices,
metering of major off take and supply areas, water balances. The
introduction of meters into the system will allow pricing to be based on
consumption with higher charges being applied for consumption above
average levels. This approach of applying an appropriate tariff
structure has the advantage of reducing wastage, setting the basis for
demand management, and sending economic signals to the consumer.

**PART FOUR**

**EXISTING SEWAGE COLLECTION AND TREATMENT**

**FACILITIES AND CAPABILITIES**

[]{dir="rtl"}

**The Availability of Previous Data []{dir="rtl"}**

There was not much documentation found for the information\'s on the
sewage systems in the Governorates due to the heavy destructions of most
of the Governmental offices during the last war event. Although, the
scarcity of the available previous data, some published reports and
literatures were available through the International organizations.

Prior to the Gulf war the sanitation service sectors were operating at
Baghdad and other few Iraqi cities with acceptable efficiency using
current technology on treatment facilities. Iraq has 13 major sewage
treatment plants. Baghdad's three sewage treatment plants, North , south
Rusafa and Karkh treatment plants, which together comprise three --
quarters of the nation's sewage treatment capacity. Only about 75% of
Baghdad's populations were served by these sewage treatment plants,
while rest of people using septic tanks.

In Baghdad only, due to the war event, around 40 % of the networks were
damaged. There was a critical balance in the ordinary days and there
will be a deficit in the treatment during rainy seasons at Rusafa side &
there is already a deficit in the refining and treatment capacity in
Karkh project and a large volume of sewage was discharged to Tigris
River & water way directly with out any treatments.

In the rest of the country, i.e. Babel, Basrah, Kerbela, Maysan,
Qadisiya, salah Al-Din, the Najaf , most sewage treatment plants were
partially operational prior to the war due to shortages in electricitcal
power, spare parts and chemicals.

The non-operational sanitation system with limited capacity has been &
remains a serious environmental & health concern. Moreover, there is an
old rainfall drainage networks that discharge the rainwater directly to
the Tigris River which need to be developed.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**Descriptions of Existing Physical Infrastructure[: ]{dir="rtl"}**

As a result of the international sanctions followed the second Gulf war,
the sanitation sectors suffered dramatically, resulting in a drop of
plant performance efficiencies. The introduction of the Oil-for-Food
Program (1995) arrested the decline of the sanitation sectors. Between
1996 and early 2003, there was marginal improvement in wastewater
treatment and collection system. The shortage of funds to pay trained
staff to maintain the system & the deterioration of the management &
technical skills of the authorities are other severe long-term problems
facing Iraq's sanitation Infrastructure. The nine sewage treatment
plants in central & southern Governorates have collapsed or are
inoperable due to war's damage or the inability to maintain them of
rehabilitate the facilities.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**Conditions of Existing Physical Infrastructure[: ]{dir="rtl"}**

Three sewage plants south, Rustamiyah North, and Karkh, were being
repaired in Baghdad Governorate and. other rehabilitation projects
include flow sewage plants in Najaf, Karbala, Babil, Tammem & Mosul took
place. There were so many plans to develop the sewage system in all the
Iraqi Governorates, but really little had been done so far due to the
wars the followed situations. These plans should be taken into
consideration in the future rehabilitation for the Governorate sewage
systems.

However, it is recommended to use H2O2 in getting rid of the H2S in the
sewage water, especially in Rustamiyah treatment plant sewage water. The
monitoring of sewage irrigation water is very essential and most
recommended.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**Interviewed Officials:**

Personnel communications have been made with the following key officials
in Baghdad:

-   Mr. Saad Bahnam (General Manager, Drinking Water Project within
    Baghdad Mayoralty).

-   Mr. Amer Kalel Esmail (Planning Manager, Sewage Projects in Iraq).

-   Miss Ban Najar (Director General, Sewage Projects in Iraq).

-   Mr. Mahmood Ali Ahmad (Director General, Drinking Water Projects in
    Iraq).

**Human Resources Available For Maintaining, And Managing Data and
Physical Infrastructure:**

There was a huge shortage of staff within the sanitation sector, and so
many numbers of vacancies were marked. Several factors have major effect
on the required level of staffing including the covered area,
organization & management structure, system complexity and age,
capabilities & efficiency of staff. In fact, the main areas that
experienced shortages were managerial positions, technical staff and
technicians. A number of factors contribute to this shortage of key
staff. There is unwillingness amongst Iraqi personnel to work in the
sewage sector. The following areas fell short of existing expertise:

-complex infrastructure development management

-operational management

[]{dir="rtl"}

**The Time and Financial Resources Required For Repairs[: ]{dir="rtl"}**

There are many priority plans to support the sanitation sectors
financially. The first so called Short-term Priorities (or emergency
phase ) for year 2004, that composed of rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the sanitation sectors just in order to reach March
2003 levels of sanitation's services in Baghdad & other central &
southern Iraqi Governorates, which expected by the international Bank to
cover financially by about 1,0 13.59 millions US\$ . The second ,so
called Medium-term Priorities for years 2005-2007,should focus on
expanding networks & services in Baghdad & all Governorates with the aim
of further extending service coverage along similar lines as the
emergency phase , that expected by the international Bank to be in order
of 2,401.17 millions US\$. Then ,the so called Long-term Priorities for
future years ,focus on increasing the percentages of expanding networks
and services in whole Iraq to meet the expected future needs ,taking in
to consideration the population rate and consumption.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**Human Resources Required For Full Operations[:]{dir="rtl"}**

According to the governmental plants, the Human Resources required for
full operations depend on the priorities of the development of the
sanitation sectors. For Iraq's long-term sanitation plans, it is
ambitious to meet the future needs of the country until 2030. This could
be done by extending the sewage treatment to more than 10% by the end of
2004 & to more than 25% by the end of 2005, and so on till year 2007.

[]{dir="rtl"}

**An Assessment of Future Physical and Human Additions to Systems
Required For Modernization and Improvement[:]{dir="rtl"}**

In addition to the immediate needs, policy and institutional issues
related to infrastructure service delivery will have to be addressed
early on to rationalize regulatory oversight and delivery mechanisms
across the sanitation sectors. Years of highly centralized and
politicized control of capital investment financing led to large-scale
neglect of routine maintenance of assets. In order not to compromises
longer-term, lest-cost solution for infrastructure service delivery in
future years, technical assistance needed on policy and institutional
reform options in the short term. It is also critical that Iraqi
policy-makers increasingly take greater ownership in determining the
future sectors for which they are responsible. The main activities of
many international organizations were to repair of sanitation facilities
using local contractors and networks. The Iraqis working in the sector
were neither well-trained nor equipped to maintain these
high-maintenance systems once the international contractors withdraw. In
response to this key sector issue, over the medium term, these sector
policies will need to be reviewed with the aim of building public sector
capacity to regulate and set standards, including training personnel,
introducing information technology to better plan and manage assets, as
well as strengthen master planning for urban sanitation infrastructure
services.

> **PRIORITIES**

In all of the Iraqi governorates, most of the irrigation areas suffer
from water logging and salinization due to failing drainage pumps,
frequent electrical power cuts and breakdown in the irrigation systems.
Problems are compounded further by looting and lack of replacement and
maintenance. The sewage and water treatment plants (including the
compact unites) are below their designed capacities, these water system
in both urban as well as in rural areas are very old and need frequent
maintenance, repair and sometimes complete replacement. Most of the
putrefaction systems are not function properly and contaminations in
treated water were experienced. The inspection levels is limited and not
up to the required standard with great shortage in machinery
non-availability of genuine spare parts, there for the water systems in
Iraq are too old and beyond their designed capacities and they should be
replaced in coming future with modern water treatment and sewages
systems. In this report many suggestions were given in order to
increase, capabilities of water sector in Iraq.

**[Part One:]{.underline}**

Increasing the number of the monitoring stations through short and long
term program.

The study named 23 existing gauging stations & proposed them to
represent the *FIRST PRIORITY* phase for the immediate restoration.

The proposed program consists mainly:

> 1\. Perform a water resource management assessment for the basin.
>
> 2\. Design and install a hydro meteorological monitoring network (in-
> situ remote sensing) for the basin to collect the data needed to
> support water resource management; this includes the required
> telecommunication system.
>
> 3\. Implement an appropriate real time hydrologic forecasting
> capability including a hydrologic forecast centre.
>
> 4\. Provide capacity building to improve the quantity and quality of
> human resources in hydrology.

**[Part Two:]{.underline}**

> The short term requirements include repair and maintenance of the
> followings (in order):

-   Irrigation pumping stations.

-   Drainage pumping stations.

-   Diversion structure and weirs.

-   Lined and flumes irrigation canals.

-   Earth canals.

-   Open and field drains.

At present time, it is convenient to adopt medium term programs for
modernization and improvement of irrigation diversions and drainage
systems. They may include the followings (in order):

-   Installation of the required regulation systems and gates.

-   Construction and installation of concrete lined canals and flumes in
    the irrigated areas.

-   Construction of the required drainage systems (open and field) in
    the irrigated areas.

-   Adaptation of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems in the irrigated
    areas for efficient use of the available water in order to minimize
    soil salinization.

-   Divert drains particularly those of significant discharge into the
    Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to a watercourse or any depression area
    to improve quality of rivers water.

**[Part Three:]{.underline}**

Reduce the water loss from the distribution system needs plugging and
treating all these leakages by adopting new technology in detection for
these leakages. Reducing water loss will require leak detection devices
and improving the inspection levels and mapping of the networks.
Reducing water losses will:

-   Increasing coverage

-   Reducing operational costs

-   Reducing the risk of illness

Improving staff capacities and capabilities through training all the
technicians and engineers in the water sector to ketchup with the up to
date knowledge.

-   Solidifying the monitoring programs for all the stages of
    purification activities within the water treatment plants.

-   The old electrical power generators systems running these plants
    should be replaced by new electrical power generators.

-   Integrating and utilizing information technology facilities in
    planning, operation and maintenance.

-   Improving the efficiency of the distribution system through solid
    rehabilitation through short and long term programs which
    concentrates on the restoration of conditions to pre-war conditions.

-   Raise coverage levels across the country by supplies the rural area
    and villages through applying the desalination techniques.

**[Part Four:]{.underline}**

-   Solid and comprehensive rehabilitate of the existed sewage networks
    with essential and most efficient methods.

-   Execution of the expansion plans of the treatment projects of the
    main network to increase the capacity of the existing sewage
    projects.

-   Complete the sewage network in the unserved residence sections of
    Baghdad City.

-   Construct temporary treatment sewage projects for those residence
    sections that is far away from the existing sewage projects.

-   Stop the untreated sewage water to flow to Tigris and Euphrates
    Rivers.

-   Adopt a new comprehensive strategy for sanitation in Iraq.

-   Improving and raising staff capacity through training.

-   Integrating and utilizing IT facilities in planning, operation and
    maintenance.