Budget Shortfall Blocks Water Infrastructure Expansion in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH, Kurdistan Region — Approximately 15 percent of Sulaymaniyah's population lacks access to drinking water networks, according to Bektiyar Tahir, director of the Sulaymaniyah District Water Administration. Tahir said water infrastructure has not been extended to new residential areas built since 2015 due to insufficient budget allocation. The administration currently relies on 45 water tankers to supply water to underserved neighborhoods. The tanker system falls short of meeting demand. Tahir noted that vehicle breakdowns and delays in budget disbursements have disrupted water distribution. He said a permanent solution requires funding for new water network construction. The absence of water infrastructure has also delayed road, sewage and other municipal projects in affected areas, according to Tahir. No further details on potential budget timelines were immediately available.