Three types of water violations were identified... Water Resources announces the introduction of gro

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[size=52]Three types of water violations were identified... Water Resources announces the introduction of groundwater...[/size]

[size=45]Within the agricultural plan due to the decline in water reserves
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12/07/2023
Hussein Falih:
The Ministry of Water Resources announced the inclusion of groundwater within the agricultural plan due to the decline in strategic water reserves, while identifying three types of water violations, stressing that those who violate it are treated as out of control. The law confirmed that Iraq received only 40 percent of its water shares from neighboring countries.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Water Resources, Khaled Shamal, said in an interview: The agricultural plan is drawn up between the Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources, where it is a plan proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, and is negotiated by advanced technical staff in the two ministries. Pointing out that the plan is built on three important indicators, the first is the existing water in the strategic reservoir, the second is what is expected to be obtained from water revenues during the season, which is surface water from rainwater, and the third indicator depends on the global market, supply and demand, and the daily sustenance of the Iraqi society.
He added: This year, groundwater was included in the plan due to the lack of water revenues from neighboring countries Turkey, Syria, and Iran. Stressing that Iraq loses more than 60 percent of its entitlement from neighboring countries, and we have received only 40 percent of our entitlement.
He pointed out: The agricultural sector consumes 80 percent of all Iraq’s water revenues, so there is pressure on the groundwater issue this season. Noting: We can develop the plan incrementally or any other measures according to the water data and indicators for the next season.
He stated: The government was firm and serious about the issue of transgressions, as it took effective and deterrent measures in coordination with the Supreme Judicial Council and the various types of security forces, and transgressors are dealt with as outlaws, and firm legal measures are taken. He explained that the violation is of three types: the first is digging wells without proper approvals and without coordination with the Ministry of Water Resources, the second is changing the diameter of the pump or using larger pumps that draw more water, and the third is using non-agricultural lands such as creating large fish lakes or implementing other industrial projects. Therefore, it is treated as a trespass on a national wealth.
He continued: As a ministry, we have the General Authority for Ground Water. This authority is concerned with granting licenses to drill wells and monitors them. Emphasizing: The measures taken were effective and decisive and prevented the waste of this wealth, which is a treasure for future generations.
He stressed: The groundwater in Iraq is promising and good, and Iraq has a very large reserve of groundwater. Pointing out that the groundwater has a high level of salinity, but many of the wells have fresh water.
He pointed out: The quality of water in groundwater depends on the nature of the areas. There is an area whose water is entirely fresh, and other areas whose water is entirely graduated from salty to fresh. Stressing that there are methods for dealing with salty water to reduce the salinity level.
He explained: The strategic water reserve in the country is enhanced by two things: water received from neighboring countries and the amount of rain falling, whether in Iraq or neighboring countries. Adding: All indicators confirm that this year 2023-2024 is a wet year. We hope that during the coming days there will be abundant rain in Iraq, the northern and western regions, and even the central region, as well as the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iran, or Syria.
He continued: We also count on the fact that after the government transformed the file of water negotiations with neighboring countries into a sovereign file, we hope that there will be pressure on neighboring countries to obtain our due shares.[/size]
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