The Ministry of Water Resources has reported that Iraq consumes approximately 8 billion cubic meters of drinking water annually, while water losses due to evaporation range between 6 and 7.5 billion cubic meters depending on temperature levels. Deputy Minister Raed
Al-Jashami stated that the total water consumption across all sectors reaches about 45 billion cubic meters per year. He highlighted that water inflows continue daily, and there is a water reserve available for distribution estimated at around 31 billion cubic
meters, which supports positive expectations for the coming year as water flows persist. He indicated that the ministry aims to be the unified reference authority for water management, responsible for collecting, storing, and distributing water among rightful beneficiaries, despite the
presence of other entities involved, such as drinking water sectors and water departments, as well as others causing damage to water resources through sewage discharge into river basins. Al-Jashami confirmed that drinking water is included in the ministry’s plans without
reducing provincial authorities' powers, with ongoing plans to equip desalination plants prioritizing targeted sectors. He also noted that Iraq has experienced two dry years recently due to climate change and its ongoing impacts in the region. The ministry has plans
to manage water distribution based on available reserves, coordinating closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and municipal departments, under full governmental supervision. Water distribution is based on scientific data including agricultural plans and population consumption, ensuring fairness among provinces, while
addressing individual violations legally. The winter agricultural plan covers about 4 million dunams, in addition to approximately 1.5 million dunams relying on groundwater sources.
