The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced its summer water strategy. The plan focuses on projects that aim to alleviate shortages and enhance water access throughout the region.
Ari Ahmed, Director General of Water and Sewerage, said authorities completed seasonal preparations to maintain stable water supplies during summer, when demand usually rises.
“All departments completed the necessary preparations to reduce water shortages this summer,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed highlighted several major projects now under development. The Goptapa water project has reached 35 percent completion. Officials expect to finish it by the end of the year if funding remains stable. The project will help reduce shortages in Chamchamal and nearby areas.
Ahmed also said authorities will complete the Barzan water project this year. The project will provide water access to 51 villages. It will also improve supply in rural communities that often face shortages during dry seasons.
The third Sulaymaniyah-Dukan water pipeline project remains in the design stage. Officials expect implementation to begin soon. The project costs more than $423 million. It ranks among the region’s largest water infrastructure investments. Authorities want to use it to solve long-term shortages in Sulaymaniyah city.
The summer plan follows strong progress in water resource management after a year of heavy rainfall.
Officials reported that dams and reservoirs across the Kurdistan Region have collected more than 11 billion cubic meters of water. Many facilities now operate at or near full capacity.
Authorities credited these results to a strategy focused on capturing seasonal rainfall. The region uses large dams and smaller water ponds to store water supplies.
Officials said these reserves will support agriculture, recharge groundwater, and secure drinking water throughout the year.
Strong storage capacity remains critical in a region that often faces climate fluctuations, drought risks, and rising summer temperatures.
The KRG continues to prioritize water security as part of its wider infrastructure agenda. Officials believe these projects and improved reservoir levels will reduce pressure on urban and rural water systems during the dry summer months.
