Nineveh water directorate submits joint project to end shortages in Sinjar, Baashiq

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The director of Nineveh's water authority, Muyid Sadiq, said a plan has been drawn up to address a water crisis affecting the western districts of the province, particularly Sinjar, where most supply still comes from wells. He said wells do not offer a lasting solution and that the directorate has finalized all technical designs for a facility with a daily capacity of 16,000 cubic meters under the "Sinjar-Baashiq Joint Water Project." The project file has been sent to the Ministry of Municipalities for funding allocation, with work coordinated between the directorate, the provincial council and the relevant ministry, Sadiq said. He added that the Mosul Dam's water reserves have risen this year following improved rainfall. Sadiq noted that projects already in operation have brought clear stability to water services in the Christian-majority eastern districts of Bartella, Baashiqa, Hamdaniya, Tal Afar and Qush. He said inadequate funding, staff shortages, urbanization and unauthorized construction remain the main unresolved problems facing the directorate.