Shafaqna English- Iraq could face a 20% decline in surface water availability by 2035, driven by upstream flow reductions and the escalating impacts of climate change, according to official data.
On Saturday (19 July 2025), Iraq’s Green Observatory estimated the country’s annual groundwater reserves at 3.4 billion cubic meters, with sustainable yields potentially exceeding 5 billion cubic meters per year.
In its report, the Observatory highlighted that groundwater is present across all provinces, though salinity levels vary significantly by region. Areas close to rivers—such as Dhi Qar and large parts of Basra, Al-Diwaniyah, and Al-Samawah—tend to have saline groundwater. In contrast, sources located in Iraq’s western, southern, and eastern deserts, as well as aquifers in Saladin, Kirkuk, and Nineveh, are generally suitable for agriculture but require treatment to meet drinking water standards.
Sources: Shafaq News