Iraq is poised to engage a consultant to oversee a vital project focusing on the construction of new water treatment facilities for crucial housing developments and underserved regions, as reported by Zawya.

Ammar Al-Maliki, Director of the Water Department within Iraq's Construction and Housing Ministry, disclosed that the chosen consultancy firm will conduct thorough studies to determine the necessary number of units and associated costs.

In discussions with the Iraqi News Agency INA on Sunday, Maliki revealed that the Ministry has formed a committee responsible for selecting a consultant and presenting project proposals to the cabinet for approval.

Earlier in February, Iraqi authorities had unveiled plans for approximately 100 projects aimed at enhancing water and sewage networks. With a three-year budget sanctioned in 2023, financial obstacles are being addressed.

Numerous projects have already been finalized, and more are slated for 2024, with the aim of achieving substantial advancements in infrastructure. Water remains a critical concern in Iraq, given the nation's various water-related challenges, including issues related to shared water resources with neighboring countries, as well as the water requirements of its agricultural sector and oil and gas industries. Particularly in southern Iraq, the issue of salinity poses a significant challenge.