Water Source Issues in Iraq

I found a really intersting article in the New York Times about water source issues in Iraq. The Euphrates River is drying up and is significantly smaller than it was two years ago. Although droughts are not uncommon in Iraq, this one has lasted for 2-years already. Despite drought, the main issue concerns water rights. The Euphrates is known to be important to the "birth of civilization", but has now "decimated farms along its banks, has left fishermen impoverished, and has depleted riverside towns as farmers flee to the cities looking for work.

Rice and wheat fields are now dried dirt, canals and streams have greatly diminished, and fishing boats lay abandoned on dry banks. Wheat and barley fields in the northern region of the country are 95% down on production. Date palms and citrus orchards are also suffering.

The identity of Iraq is also at risk during the drought. Once the world's largest exporter of dates, barley suppliers for German beers, and its reputation for Anbar rice, Iraq is importing grain and may be forced to grow cheaper varieties of rice.

The main problem for Iraq concerning water scarcity is that Iraq is a downstream country. Neighboring countries Turkey and Syria are upstream of Iraq and have at least seven dams on the Euphrates. There are no agreements or treaties concerning water. Turkey reportedly released 60% more water, but it is not enough to replenish the river life and agriculture surrounding the Euphrates. Channels designed to provide drinking water, are now dry and full of salt and sewage. Clean water is not available and if conditions do not improve by next winter, many more families will be leaving the agricultural villages.

Robertson, Campbell. New York Times, "Iraq Suffers as the Euphrates River Dwindles", July 13, 2009.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/14/world/middleeast/14euphrates.html?_r=1