Iraq’s Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Public Municipalities announced a new partnership with the United Kingdom to transform sewage water into a resource suitable for agricultural and general use, as part of broader efforts to address the country’s growing water crisis.

Ammar Al-Asadi, Director General of the Ministry’s Water Directorate, said the collaboration includes the installation of pilot desalination units to study and treat sewage water in five governorates: Basra, Diwaniyah, Dhi Qar, Wasit, and Anbar. The project marks Iraq’s first major attempt to convert sewage into usable water, prompted by declining levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Al-Asadi described the initiative as part of a broader national water sanitation plan, already underway in seven governorates. He also highlighted additional efforts to modernize the country’s water infrastructure, including the installation of smart water meters, network monitoring systems, and electronic automation tools to detect leaks and improve water efficiency.

To date, Iraq has completed 120 desalination units for treating highly saline water, many of which are now operational under the government’s services program. These projects aim to ease water scarcity and provide potable water across various regions.

Al-Asadi added that treated water from these initiatives will support agriculture, fish farming, well drilling, and other non-potable applications. He emphasized that once the pilot phase proves successful, similar projects will be expanded to the rest of the country.