The Director General of Water and Sewerage in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq stated that approximately 75% of the emergency water supply project in Erbil has been completed. Initiated eight months ago, the project is intended to reduce dependence on over 1,300 underground wells currently supplying drinking water to the city—many of which have experienced significant declines in water levels due to overuse and inadequate replenishment.
According to Engineer Ari Ahmad Qadir, the project also incorporates seasonal reservoirs designed to capture rainwater annually. However, their effectiveness depends heavily on consistent seasonal rainfall to ensure ongoing replenishment. This initiative is a direct response to localized water shortages observed in areas that have historically relied on well water for domestic and municipal use.