A new scientific and data-driven approach to water management has been launched in Erbil with the opening of the “Soil and Water Resources Center,” while the Erbil Emergency Water Project is also nearing full completion, marking a significant step forward in the Kurdistan Region’s water security efforts.
The Soil and Water Resources Center, inaugurated by Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw at the Erbil Irrigation Directorate, is designed to support research and data collection on natural resources. The center will focus on groundwater protection, climate change monitoring, and agricultural development through digital soil and water mapping. Officials say it will serve as an important scientific platform for researchers and decision-makers to manage resources more efficiently and reduce environmental waste.
In parallel, work on the Erbil Rapid Emergency Water Project is close to completion. According to water officials, the project is now 100% finished and will soon enter full operation. Once fully active, it is expected to significantly improve water stability in the capital and reduce shortages experienced during hot seasons.
The system is capable of filtering 480,000 cubic meters of water per day and supplying 21,000 cubic meters of clean water per hour to different neighborhoods in Erbil. It operates through four main transmission lines covering areas between 120m Road and 150m Road, and connects multiple emergency stations to the city’s main water network.
Ari Ahmed, Director General of Water and Sewerage in the Kurdistan Region, described the project as a major infrastructure milestone, stating that it will ensure a stable and reliable water supply for the capital.
Alongside developments in Erbil, authorities note that broader water security efforts are underway across the Kurdistan Region, including the construction of strategic dams and projects aimed at reducing water scarcity in both urban and rural areas.
