• Water Supply and Quality
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Water Supply and Quality

Water Supply and Quality

Water management in Iraq faces persistent challenges due to scarcity, pollution, and climate variability. Within this context, the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa (UoWA) has adopted a structured approach to secure reliable water provision while reducing environmental impacts.

Drinking Water Provision

The university provides free access to drinking water across teaching, administrative, and residential facilities. Two on campus purification plants treat underground, rain, and river water, supplying approximately 20–25% of total campus water consumption. Water quality is regularly monitored to ensure compliance with national standards. Free water stations also reduce reliance on bottled water, supporting both environmental sustainability and health objectives.

Measured Water Use:
In the 2024 academic year, UoWA measured the total volume of water used across all campus operations including supply from mains, groundwater extraction, and harvested sources amounting to approximately 360,000 cubic metres (m³) per year.

• Mains / Municipal Network: ~230,000 m³ (≈ 64%)
• Groundwater / Extracted Sources (wells or lake): ~70,000 m³ (≈ 19%)
• Harvested Rain / River / Other Natural Sources: ~50,000 m³ (≈ 14%)

Water consumption is monitored continuously through a network of digital meters installed across academic and residential buildings. The Facilities and Sustainability Division compiles monthly readings and conducts quarterly audits to validate the recorded data.

Sustainable Water Extraction

Groundwater abstraction is managed within controlled limits, and rainwater harvesting systems store seasonal reserves to support irrigation and campus needs. These measures mitigate the risk of over-extraction and contribute to long-term water security. The university ensures all abstraction and harvesting are metered and logged, with quarterly audits to validate the recorded volumes against independent benchmarks.

Water Pollution Control

Preventative measures include routine maintenance of infrastructure, safe chemical handling in laboratories, and monitoring of water storage systems. Monthly testing and annual independent audits ensure compliance with Iraqi and international standards, reducing risks to human health and surrounding ecosystems.