Minister of Water Resources Conducts Inspection Tour of Tigris River Pollution Sources

The Minister of Water Resources, Muthanna al-Tamimi, conducted a field inspection tour on Monday, accompanied by Minister of Environment Sarwa Abdul Wahid, to follow up on pollution sources discharging into the Tigris River.

The Ministry of Water Resources said in a statement that the tour covered the Al-Jadiriyah and Al-Doura districts, with participation of senior ministry staff, engineers and concerned parties, aiming to identify sites of governmental pollutant discharge and assess their environmental and water impacts. The ministry added that the tour focused on monitoring measures taken to address the pollution phenomenon, contributing to protecting the Tigris River, maintaining water quality and enhancing the efficiency of the water system. The ministry quoted al-Tamimi as saying: "The importance of taking urgent measures to address all pollution sources and coordinating with relevant bodies to stop environmental violations." Al-Tamimi stressed that protecting waterways and maintaining water quality is a shared national responsibility, in line with government directives to protect the environment and water resources.

The statement did not clarify details about the entities responsible for the pollution sources or the practical steps taken to confront them. Background on Tigris River pollution: Pollution of the Tigris River is one of the most prominent environmental challenges in Iraq, as industrial, sanitary and agricultural waste affect water quality and citizens' health.