Present Conditions and Future Challenges of Water Resources Problems in Iraq

Abstract

Iraq is part of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region). It greatly relies in its water resources on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Iraq was considered rich in its water resources till 1970s. After that problems due to water scarcity aroused. Recently, it is expected that water shortage problems will be more serious. The supply and demand are predicted to be 43 and 66.8 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) respectively in 2015, while in 2025 it will be 17.61 and 77BCM respectively. In addition, future prediction suggests that Tigris and Euphrates Rivers will be completely dry in 2040. To overcome this problem, prudent water management plan is to be adopted. It should include Strategic Water Management Vision, development of irrigation techniques, reduction of water losses, use of non-conventional water resources and research and development planning.

Share and Cite:

Al-Ansari, N. , Ali, A. and Knutsson, S. (2014) Present Conditions and Future Challenges of Water Resources Problems in Iraq. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 6, 1066-1098. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2014.612102.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1] Al-Ansari, N.A. (2013) Management of Water Resources in Iraq: Perspectives and Prognoses. Journal of Engineering, 5, 667-668.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/eng.2013.58080
[2] ESCWA (Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) (2013) Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia. SalimDabbous Printing Co., Beirut, 626 p.
[3] Roger, P. and Lydon, P. (1994) Water in the Arab World. Harvard University Press, Massachusetts.
[4] Biswas, A.K. (1994) International Waters of the Middle East—From Euphrates, Tigris to Nile. Oxford University Press, Bombay.
[5] Allan, T. (2001) The Middle East Water Question. I.B.Tauris Publishers, London.
[6] Al-Ansari, N. (1998) Water Resources in the Arab Countries: Problems and Possible Solutions. UNESCO International Conference on World Water Resources at the Beginning of the 21st Century, Paris, 3-6 June 1998, 367-376.
[7] Cherfane, C.C. and Kim, S.E. (2012) Arab Region and Western Asia, UNESCWA. In: Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk, UN World Water Development Report 4, Chapter 33.
[8] Barr, J., Grego, S., Hassan, E., Niasse, M., Rast, W. and Talafré, J. (2012) Regional Challenges, Global Impacts. In: Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk, UN World Water Development Report 4, Chapter 7.
[9] Perry, C.J. and Bucknall, J. (2009) Water Resource Assessment in the Arab World: New Analytical Tools for New Challenges. In: Jagannathan, N.J., Mohamed, A.S. and Kremer, A., Eds., Water in the Arab World: Managment Perspectives and Innovations, World Bank, Middle East and North Africa Region, Washington, The World Express, 97-118.
[10] Hiniker, M. (1999) Sustainable Solutions to Water Conflicts in the Jordan Valley. Green Cross Internation, Geneva.
[11] Sadik, A.K. and Barghouti, S. (1994) The Water Problems of the Arab World: Management of Scarce Water Resources. In: Rogers, P. and Lydon, P., Eds., Water in the Arab World, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 4-37.
[12] Postel, S. (1992) Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity. Worldwatch Institute WW Norton & Co, New York.
[13] Charrier, B. and Curtin, F. (2007) A Vital Paradigm Shift to Maintain Habitability in the Middle East: The Integrated Management of International Watercourses. In: Water for Peace in the Middle East and Southern Africa, Green Cross International, Geneva, 11-1.
[14] Bazzaz, F. (1993) Global Climatic Changes and Its Consequences for Water Availability in the Arab World. In: Roger, R. and Lydon, P., Eds., Water in the Arab Word: Perspectives and Prognoses, Harvard University, Cambridge, 243-252.
[15] Al-Ansari, N.A., Salameh, E. and Al-Omari, I. (1999) Analysis of Rainfall in the Badia Region, Jordan. Al al-Bayt University Research Paper No.1, Mafraq, 66 p.
[16] Hamdy, A. (2013) Water Crisis and Food Security in the Arab World: The Future Challenges.
http://gwpmed.org/files/IWRM-Libya/Atef%20Hamdy%20AWC.pdf
[17] Chenoweth, J., Hadjinicolaou, P., Bruggeman, A., Lelieveld, J., Levin, Z., Lange, M., Xoplaki, E. and Hadjikakou, M. (2011) Impact of Climate Change on the Water Resources of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Region: Modeled 21st Century Changes and Implications. Water Resources Research, 47, W06506, 1-18.
[18] Voss, K., Famiglietti, J., Lo, M., de Linage, C., Rodell, M. and Swenson, S. (2013) Groundwater Depletion in the Middle East from GRACE with Implications for Transboundary Water Management in the Tigris-Euphrates-Western Iran Region. Water Resources Research, 49, 904-914.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wrcr.20078
[19] Nimah, M.N. (2008) Water Resources (2008) Report of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development. In: Tolba, M.K. and Saab, N.W., Eds., Arab Environment and Future Challenges, Chapter 5, 63-74, Arab Forum for Environment and Development, Beirut, Lebanon.
[20] UN (2010) Water Resources Management White Paper. United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, United Nations Country Team in Iraq, 20 p.
http://iq.one.un.org/documents/100/white%20paper-eng_Small.pdf
[21] Al-Ansari, N.A., Knutsson, S. and Ali, A. (2012) Restoring the Garden of Eden, Iraq. Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering, 2, 53-88.
[22] Al-Ansari, N.A. and Knutsson, S. (2011) Toward Prudent Management of Water Resources in Iraq. Journal of Advanced Science and Engineering Research, 1, 53-67.
[23] Wikipedia (2014) Tigris-Euphrates River System.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris%E2%80%93Euphrates_river_system
[24] Al-Ansari, N.A. (1979) Principles of Hydrogeology. Coll. of Science Press, Baghdad (In Arabic).
[25] Al-Sayyab, A., Al-Ansari, N.A., Al-Rawi, D., Al-Jassim, J., Al-Omari, F. and Al-Shaikh, Z. (1982) Geology of Iraq. Mosul University Press, Iraq, 280 (In Arabic).
[26] Al-Ansari, N.A., Assaid, H.I. and Salim, V.N. (1981) Water Resources in Iraq. Journal of the Geological Society, 15, 35-42.
[27] Al-Ansari, N.A., Jassim, M.D., Thijeel, A., Abbas, H., Jawad, S.B. and Ahmad, A. (1990) Possibility of Using Western Desert for Agricultural Purposes. Ministry of Agricultural and Irrigation, Internal Report, 14 p.
[28] Al-Ansari, N.A., Dhari, M., Assad, N., Al-Shama, A. and Al-Jubori, S. (1993) Agricultural Use of Deserts Using Ground Water. Journal of Water Research, 12, 113-124.
[29] Al-Ansari, N.A. and Al-Shama, A. (1995) Long Term Utilization of Ground Water in Liefiya-Lusuf Area, Western Desert. Iraqi Science Journal, 36, 282-313.
[30] Al-Ansari, N.A., Rushdi, B. and AL-Shamma, A. (1995) Utilization of Ground Water for Agricultural Activities, South Nakhaib Area, Western Desert (IRAQ). International Conference on Water Resources Management in Arid Regions, Sultanate of Oman, 450-456.
[31] Alsam, S., Jassim, S.Z. and Hanna, F. (1990) Water Balance of Iraq: Stage 2, Geological and Hydrogeological Conditions. Report, Ministry of Irrigation, Iraq.
[32] Krasny, J., Alsam, S. and Jassim, S.Z. (2006) Hydrogeology. In: Geology of Iraq, 1st Edition, Dolin, Prague and Moravian Museum, Prague.
[33] AFED (Arab Forum for Environment and Development) (2009) Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries.
http://www.afedonline.org
[34] IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2007) Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press, Geneva.
[35] WRI (World Resources Institute) (2002) Drylands, People, and Ecosystem Goods and Services: A Web-Based Geo-Spatial Analysis.
http://www.wri.org
[36] Al-Ansari, N.A., Abdellatif, M., Ezeelden, M., Ali, S. and Knutsson, S. (2014) Climate Change and Future Long Term Trends of Rainfall at North-eastern Part of Iraq. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 8, 790-805.
[37] Al-Ansari, N.A., Abdellatif, M., Ali, S. and Knutsson, S. (2014) Long Term Effect of Climate Change on Rainfall in Northwest Iraq. Central European Journal of Engineering, 4, 250-263.
[38] Al-Ansari, N.A., Abdellatif, M., Al-Khateeb, M. and Knutsson, S. (2014) Desertification and Future Rainfall Trends north Iraq. 8th Edition of the International Scientific Congress of GIS and Geospace Applications Geotunis, Tunis/ Hammamet, 2-6 April 2014.
[39] Al-Ansari, N.A., Abdellatif, M., Zakaria, S., Mustafa, Y. and Knutsson, S. (2014) Future Prospects for Macro Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) Technique in North East Iraq. Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 6, 403-420.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2014.65041
[40] Zakaria, S., Al-Ansari, N. and Knutsson, S. (2013) Historical and Future Climatic Change Scenarios for Temperature and Rainfall for Iraq. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 7, 1574-1594.
[41] World Bank (2011) DorteVerner and M. Fatma El-Mallah (League of Arab States), Adaptation to a Changing Climate in the Arab Countries. MNA Flagship Report, Sustainable Development Department, Middle East and North Africa Region.
[42] IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2001) Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the IPCC. Third Assessment Report 2001, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
[43] Dasgupta, S., Laplante, B., Meisner, C. and Yan, J. (2007) The Impact of Sea Level Rise on Developing Countries: A Comparative Study. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 4136.
[44] Arnell, N.W. (2004) Climate Change and Global Water Resources: SRES Scenarios and Socio-Economic Scenarios. Global Environmental Change, 14, 31-52.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2003.10.006
[45] Oweis, T. and Hachum, A. (2004) Water Harvesting and Supplemental Irrigation for Improved Water Productivity of Dry Farming Systems in West Asia and North Africa. New Directions for a Diverse Planet. Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, 26 September-1 October 2004.
www.cropscience.org.au
[46] Medany, M. (2008) Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries. Chapter 9.
www.afedonline.org/afedreport/english/book9.pdf
[47] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2009) Irrigation in the Middle East Region in Figures— AQUASTAT Survey. 2008 Water Report 34, 2.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i0936e/i0936e00.htm
[48] Yahya, J.Q. (2002) Climate Change for the Semi-Mountainous Region in Iraq and Its Impact on the Productivity of Wheat and Barley. Unpublished Master Thesis, Department of Geography, University of Tikrit, College of Education, Tikrit.
[49] Wetherald, R.T. and Manabe, S. (2002) Simulation of Hydrologic Changes Associated with Global Warming. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, 4379.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2001JD001195
[50] Karrou, M. (2002) Climatic Change and Drought Mitigation: Case of Morocco. The First Technical Workshop of the Mediterranean, Component of CLIMAGRI Project on Climate Change and Agriculture, Rome, 25-27 September 2002, 7p.
http://www.semide.net/media_server/files/semide/topics/waterscarcity
/background/climatic-change-and-drought-
mitigation-case-morocco/ws01_38.pdf
[51] Abbas, A. (2002) Drought Suppression Procedures for Dry Lands. The First Technical Workshop of the Mediterranean, Component of CLIMAGRI Project on Climate Change and Agriculture, Rome, 25-27 September 2002, 12p.
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/32615805/DROUGHT-SUPPRESSION-
PROCEDURES-FOR-DRY-LANDS-EXAMPLE-SALAMIA
[52] Mougou, R. and Mohsen, M. (2005) Hendi Zitoune Case Study: Agro Climatic Characterization and Evapotranspiration Evolution in Climate Change Conditions. Fourth Tunisian Semi-Annual Report. Contribution to the AIACC AF 90 North Africa Project: Assessment, Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability to Climate Change on North Africa: Food and Water Resources.
[53] AL-Bayati, F.F. (2011) Climatic Conditions and Their Impact on the Geographical Distribution of the Dust Storms Empirical Study at Al-Anbar Province-Iraq. Anbar University, Journal for the Humanities, 1, 26-38.
[54] Sissakian, V., Al-Ansari, N.A. and Knutsson, V. (2013) Sand and Dust Storm Events in Iraq. Natural Science, 5, 1084-1094.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ns.2013.510133
[55] Elasha, B.O. (2010) Mapping of Climatic Change Threats and Human Development Impacts in the MENA Region. United Nations Development Programme, MENA Human Development Report (AHDR), Research Paper Series 2010.
http://www.MENA-hdr.org/publications/other/ahdrps/paper02-en.pdf
[56] Milly, P.C.D., Dunne, K.A. and Vecchia, A.V. (2005) Global Patterns of Trends in Stream Flow and Water Availability in a Changing Climate. Nature, 438, 347-350.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature04312
[57] Burleson, E. (2005) Equitable and Reasonable Use of Water within the Euphrates-Tigris River Basin. Environmental Law Institute, Washington.
http://www.internationalwaterlaw.org/bibliography/articles/general/
BurlesonTigris-Euphrates.pdf
[58] Kamel, A., Sulaiman, S. and Mustaffa, S. (2013) Study of the Effects of Water Level Depression in Euphrates River on the Water Quality. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 7, 238-247.
[59] Ministry of Water Resources-Iraq (MWR) (2010) Annual Report. National Centre for Water Resources Management.
[60] Biedler, M. (2004) Hydropolitics of the Tigris-Euphrates River Basin with Implications for the European Union. Research Paper no. 1, Centre European de Reserche International et Strategique.
http://www.ceris.be/fileadmin/library/Research%20Papers/1%20Hydropolitics%
20of%20the%20Tigris-Euphrates%20Rivers%20Bassin%20with%20implantations%
20for%20the%20European%20Union.pdf
[61] Alkanda, A., Freeman, S. and Placht, M. (2007) The Tigris-Euphrates River Basin: Mediating a Path towards Alnakhla. The Flecher School Journal for Issues Related to Southwest Asia and Islamic Civilization.
http://fletcher.tufts.edu/AlNakhlah/Archives/~/media/Fletcher/
Microsites/al%20Nakhlah/archives/pdfs/placht-2.pdf
[62] GAP (2006) South-Eastern Anatolia Project: Latest Situation.
http://www.gap.gov.tr/English/Genel/sdurum.pdf
[63] Unver, I. (1997) Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP). International Journal of Water Resources Development, 13, 453-484.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07900629749575
[64] Shams, S. (2006) Water Conflict between Iraq and Turkey. Middle East News.
http://www.mokarabat.com/m1091.htm
[65] Alnajaf News Net (2009) The GAP Project and Its Negative Implications on Iraq (in Arabic).
http://www.arabo.com/links/,199,225,218,209,199,222/,197,218,225,199,227/45188.html
[66] Waterbury, J. (1993) Transboudary Water and the Challenge of International Cooperation in the Middle East. In: Roger, R. and Lydon, P., Eds., Water in the Arab Word: Perspectives and Prognoses, Harvard University, Cambridge, 39-64.
[67] Alsowdani, M. (2005) GAP Project and Its Economic Negative Implications on Syria and Iraq, in Al-Itehad News.
http://www.alitthad.com/paper.php?name=News&file=print&sid=19030
[68] National Defense Magazine (2009) Turkish Israeli Partnership in GAP Southeastern Anatolian Project. Official Site of the Lebanese Army.
http://www.lebarmy.gov.lb/article.asp?ln=ar&id=2901
[69] Murakami, M. (1995) Managing Water for Peace in the Middle East: Alternative Strategies. United Nations University Press, Tokyo.
http://archive.unu.edu/unupress/unupbooks/80858e/80858E04.htm
[70] Beaumont, P. (1995) Agricultural and Environmental Changes in the Upper Euphrates Catchment of Turkey and Syria and Their Political and Economic Implications. Applied Geography, 16, 137-157.
[71] Alyaseri, S. (2009) GAP Project: Dangerous Consequences on Life in Iraq. Official Site of Iraqi Council for Peace and Unity.
http://www.marafea.org/paper.php?source=akbar&mlf=copy&sid=11556
[72] Robertson, C. (2009) Iraq Suffers as the Euphrates River Dwindles. The New York Times. July 13th, 2009.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/world/middleeast/14euphrates.html?_r=0
[73] Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (2014) Ilisu Dam and Legal Considerations in Iraq.
http://www.iraqicivilsociety.org/archives/2902
[74] Majeed, Y. (1993) The Central Regions: Problems and Perspectives. In: Roger, R. and Lydon, P., Eds., Water in the Arab Word: Perspectives and Prognoses, Harvard University, Cambridge, 101-120.
[75] World Bank (2006) Iraq: Country Water Resources, Assistance Strategy: Addressing Major Threats to People’s Livelihoods. Report no. 36297-IQ, 97 p.
[76] World Bank (2014) Country at a Glance: Iraq.
http://data.worldbank.org/country/iraq
[77] Iraqi Ministry of Municipalities and Public Work (IMMPW) (2011) Water Demand and Supply in Iraq: Vision, Approach and Efforts, GD for Water.
http://www.mmpw.gov.iq/
[78] Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) (2009) Water Resources in the Middle East. Background Report to Seminar on Water and Energy Linkages in the Middle East, 9.
[79] Ministry of Water Resources-Iraq (MWR) (2014) The Strategic Study for Iraqi Water Resources and Lands, in Arabic,
http://www.mowr.gov.iq/?q=node/902
[80] Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) (2007) IRAQ: Monitoring the Situation of Children and Women. Final Report.
http://www.childinfo.org/files/MICS3_Iraq_FinalReport_2006_eng.pdf
[81] World Bank (2013) Food and Agriculture Organization, AQUASTAT, Renewable Internal.
[82] IAU (Inter-Agency Information and Analysis Unit) (2011) Water in Iraq Factsheet.
http://www.iauiraq.org/documents/1319/Water%20Fact%20Sheet%20March%202011.pdf
[83] A Climate for Change (2012) Water Supply and Sanitation in Iraq.
http://www.aclimateforchange.org/profiles/blogs/water-supply-and-sanitation-in-iraq
[84] Jawaheri, E.A. and Alsahmari, R.A. (2009) Water Problems of Iraq and Possible Solutions. Journal of Law and Politics, 2, 9-61.
[85] MoP (Ministry of Planning-Iraq) (2013) National Development Plan 2013-2017. Baghdad.
[86] Al-Ansari, N.A. (2005) Applied Surface Hydrology. Al al-Bayt University Publication, Mafraq (In Arabic).
[87] The Encyclopedia of Earth (2008) Water Profile of Iraq.
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Water_profile_of_Iraq
[88] Ritzema, H. and Braun, H. (1994) Environmental Aspects of Drainage, Chapter 25. In: Environmental Drainage Principles and Applications, International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement (IILRI), Publication No. 16, 1041-1065.
[89] Merry, M. (1992) Iraq Builds “Third River” Project Despite No-Fly Zone and Embargo. Executive Intelligence Review, Washington, DC, 19, 8-10.
[90] Al-Shamari, H.M. (1994) Hydro Chemical Investigations of Tharthar Lake and Its Possible Effect on the Hydrochemistry of Euphrates River. M. Sc. Thesis, University of Baghdad, Baghdad (in Arabic).
[91] Consulting Engineering Bureau (CEB) (2011) Lakes Testing Study. College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad.
[92] Ali, S.M., Qutaiba, A.S., Hussan, M. and Al-Azawi, F.W. (2013) Fluctuating Rainfall as One of the Important Cause for Desertification in Iraq. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 3, 25-33.
[93] Raphaeli, N. (2009) Water Crisis in Iraq: The Growing Danger of Desertification, Investors Iraq, 23 July 2009, no. 537.
http://www.investorsiraq.com/showthread.php?132306-Water-Crisis-in-
Iraq-The-Growing-Danger-of-Desertification
[94] Al-Saidi, A. and Al-Juaiali, S. (2013) The Economic Costs and Consequences of Desertification in IRAQ. Global Journal of Political Science and Administration, 1, 40-45.
[95] UN-Iraq (2011) Sand and Sand Storm Fact Sheet.
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/SDS%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf
[96] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2005) Country Profile: Land Use and Water Resources.
http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Counprof/Iraq/Iraq.html
[97] Ministry of Industry and Minerals-Iraq (MIM) (2008) Industrial Investment Opportunities in IRAQ. Investment Department, Baghdad, no. 537.
http://www.investorsiraq.com/showthread.php?132306-Water-Crisis-in-
Iraq-The-Growing-Danger-of-Desertification

Copyright © 2023 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.