Dhi Qar council member says province's drinking water is safe despite MP's pollution warning

NASIRIYAH, Iraq — A member of the Dhi Qar provincial council said official laboratory results show the province's drinking water is safe and free of serious contaminants, contradicting claims by a lawmaker that the water poses environmental and public health risks. Council member Ahmed Selim made the statement in response to warnings from Najaf MP Gays Raad, who had said waters in Dhi Qar carried environmental pollution and threatened public health. The provincial council held an emergency session on Saturday, with members of relevant committees and the directors of water, sewage, health and environment departments in attendance, according to the council member. Selim urged the lawmaker to raise Dhi Qar's drinking water shortage as a national issue and to also address the impact of rice cultivation in Najaf and central provinces, which he said was reducing the city's water share. Dhi Qar Sewage Director Haydar Asadi said all discharges north of the city are outside the Tigris River, adding that the main problem facing the province is a three-year halt in expected budget funding. No further details were immediately available.