The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed a loan agreement with the Government of Iraq to provide a Japanese ODA loan of up to 45,298 million yen [$320,ooo] for the Samawah Water Supply Improvement Project.
In order to improve water-supply volume, water quality, and service hours, and to make effective use of water resources, this project will construct water-supply facilities including desalination facilities in Samawah City, Muthanna Governorate, thereby contributing to the provision of a stable treated-water supply and the promotion of economic and social development in the city.
The project site, Samawah city, is where the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force was deployed and stationed for reconstruction assistance, after the start of the Iraq War, and next year, 2024, will be the 20th anniversary of their deployment to Iraq. In addition to this, Japan has provided a variety of support, including the construction of bridges through JICA yen loans.
In Iraq, repeated wars and deteriorating security conditions have resulted in inadequate renewal and maintenance of water-supply facilities, leading to a decline in water quality and water-supply rates, and people's quality of life has also declined as a result. Despite being the capital of Muthanna Governorate, Samawah City lacks a large-scale water-treatment plant, and is thus heavily dependent on water supplied from treatment plants outside the city.
In addition, a water supply sufficient to meet the needs of residents cannot be secured due to the decline in the capacity of treatment plants outside the city as well as leaks that occur during the delivery of the water. What is more, the Euphrates River that surrounds the city is experiencing a decline in rainfall due to climate change, which in turn has led to extremely high salinity due to the influx of seawater from the Persian Gulf. Desalination is thus necessary in order to obtain drinking water from this source.
In light of this situation, the project will construct water-supply facilities including desalination facilities, and water transmission pipes in Samawah City, Muthanna Governorate. In doing so, it will contribute to improving water-supply volume, water quality, and service hours, as well to the effective use of water resources, thereby also contributing to the achievement of SDGs Goal 6 (Clean water and sanitation).
Details for the loan are provided below.
1. Terms and Amount of Loan
| Project title | Amount (million yen) |
Annual interest rate (%) | Repayment period (years) |
Grace period (years) |
Procurement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Consulting services |
|||||
| Samawah Water Supply Improvement Project | 45,298 | TORF + 100bp | 0.2% | 25 | 7 | General untied |
2. Executing Agency
Ministry of Construction, Housing, Municipalities and Public Works: MCHMPW
Address: MCHMPW building, Baghdad, Republic of Iraq
3. Planned Implementation Schedule
- 1 . Completion of project: November 2029-when the facilities are put into service
- 2 . Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including detailed design work): April - June 2024
- 3 . Tendering of announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction:
Procurement package title: Construction of Samawah Water Treatment Plant
Release date: October 2025
(Source: JICA)
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