The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism announced that the contract for the Dukan-Sulaimani Water Project 3 has been officially signed, marking a major step toward ending the long-standing water scarcity in Sulaimani city.
The project, approved by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, will be implemented at a cost of $423.89 million, up from an initial budget of $398.49 million. Officials said the initiative is expected to provide a long-term solution to Sulaimani’s water shortages, ensuring reliable access for residents for the next 30 years.
Sulaimani has struggled with water scarcity for several years, with many neighborhoods forced to rely on tanker water, creating difficulties for citizens. Following repeated public requests, the Prime Minister intervened to address the issue permanently.
The contract was signed on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism, formalizing the partnership between the ministry and the implementing company. The project’s importance had been highlighted to the Diwan Presidency on September 2, 2024, after which it received immediate approval from the Prime Minister.
The Dukan-Sulaimani Water Project 3 follows the successful Erbil Emergency Water Project, which has fully resolved Erbil’s water crisis. Implemented at a cost of approximately $480 million in less than 550 days, the Erbil project now delivers 480,000 cubic meters of clean water per day—about 20-21 thousand cubic meters per hour—to all neighborhoods of the city.
The Erbil project sources water from the Greater Zab River, using advanced treatment, filtration, and chlorination processes in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. It also features 200 kilometers of spiral pipes and 280 kilometers of polyethylene pipes to distribute water across the city, benefiting neighborhoods including Daratu, Benaslawa, Kasnazan, Pirzin, Shawes, Baharka, Ankawa, and Sebirana. The project has allowed for the closure of more than a thousand water wells, preserving groundwater and preventing waste.
Officials said the Dukan-Sulaimani Water Project 3 will follow a similar model, aiming to deliver sustainable, high-quality water to the residents of Sulaimani and prevent future shortages, bringing the city in line with Erbil’s success in water management.
