© Jawad Jabar pour Action contre la Faim
Headline
Irak
Guaranteeing the right to water in Basra
Basra is the Iraqi governorate most affected by the country’s water crisis, and its inhabitants are struggling to access water in sufficient quantity and quality. To improve water planning and management, Action Against Hunger has trained engineers from the Water Directorate in the use of a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and a Geographic Information System (GIS).
Conflict, climate change, water pollution and scarcity, and environmental waste have created an unprecedented water crisis in much of Iraq. Basra, in the south of the country, is the hardest-hit governorate, and poor management of water resources and water supply infrastructure have only exacerbated the situation.
The limited technical planning during the expansion of the water network has resulted in some challenges with mapping and uneven water distribution for Basra’s 4.5 million residents. Rural exodus, exacerbated by water shortages, and rapid population growth are putting further pressure on the city’s outdated water infrastructure.
With the support of the Crisis and Support Center (CDCS) of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Action Against Hunger (ACF) is working to improve the mapping of the water network and strengthen the capacity of local authorities, using a technological tool: the Ground Penetrating Radar.
Deleterious impacts on the population
Over the past decade, lack of access to water has exposed the population of Basra to an increased risk of waterborne diseases. In 2018, sewage contamination, resulting from water shortages and poor preventive planning, led to the hospitalizations of 120,000 people.
Faced with the impossibility of obtaining drinking water from the local network, residents resort to buying bottled water, which represents an additional financial burden for the most vulnerable families. In addition, illegal connection to the water network has led to contamination, reduced network pressure and increased wastage of water resources.
Nadhira Mohammed Nasir, aged 68, lives with her family in the Al-Zahraa district. She describes the difficulties faced by the people of Basra. “The main problems we face are water salinity, which is a widespread problem in Basra. The water supplied is not drinkable, and we sometimes receive water of poor quality. In addition, water cuts are frequent. Finally, to fill the one-ton water tank, we have to wait almost 45 minutes,” she explains.
Strengthening local capacities for sustainable management
The project led by Action Against Hunger (ACF) aims to strengthen the capacities of the local water management authority for more sustainable and efficient management of the water supply network. ACF has introduced innovative technological tools, such as the Ground Penetrating Radar, which can be used to locate leaks in pipes and detect most obstacles on the routes.
Ten engineers from the Directorate of Water, including seven women, have been trained in this technology – which improves maintenance efficiency, reduces costs and limits water cuts in the city’s neighborhoods – and to a geographic information system. Hussam Loay Hussein, 29, works as an engineer in the Directorate of Water and took part in the training to detect pipe networks. “The training taught us how to identify pipe networks and supply sources in a given area, isolate water networks and identify old and broken water pipes. In addition, when we find the water sources, we assess the needs of the area and determine whether the quantity of water is sufficient,” comments Hussam Loay Hussein.
The Ground Penetrating Radar is now used effectively by engineers for all maintenance operations, enabling them to better locate leaks and pipes, and to plan interventions in a more targeted and efficient manner. The interventions carried out by the Directorate of Water’s trained engineers have improved access to water for the residents whose neighborhoods benefited from the project. “Now we can get water when we need it,” explains Nadhira Mohammed Nasir. “The time it takes to fill our water tank is shorter, and we won’t be affected if the pipe supplying our area breaks, because valves have been installed right in the pipe to make it easier to repair. In addition, the installation of these valves will limit water leaks and combat wastage.”
Present in Iraq since 2013, Action contre la Faim (ACF) is working to address the complex challenges of water scarcity in Iraq through a three-pronged approach. In particular, we are developing a climate forecasting dashboard for monitoring water scarcity, building capacity and coordination between government entities, and responding to water scarcity action plans that are driven at the community level. In 2024, 5317 people benefited from our water, hygiene and sanitation programs in Basra.
Iraq
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