Water Balance and Water Security Indicators in Iraq for the Water Years of 2017-2023

Abstract The efficiency of water resource management in any country is measured by the extent of its water balance. Recently, Recently, Iraq has been facing major challenges in achieving water balance as a result of the decline in its water inflows on the one hand and the increase in water consumption due to climate change on the other hand. In addition to the water policies followed by upstream countries. In addition, rapid population growth and the expansion of irrigated agriculture have contributed to putting the water balance under pressure. Consequently, exacerbated the water deficit, in addition to water quality deterioration. Subsequently, increasing risks facing water security in Iraq. The results of the current study indicate that Iraq has shifted from a country of water abundance during the last century to a country of water poverty at the beginning of the current century and has entered a phase of water scarcity after 2020. The study results also indicated that in recent years the water deficit has risen to 100%. Additionally, the Iraqi water quality has significantly degraded owing to pollution. Therefore, the results of the current study concluded that it is necessary to activate effective management to increase external water inflows on the one hand and rationalize the use of available water on the other hand to achieve the sustainability of this resource and preserve its quality.