The Basra desalination plant capacity continues to impress by providing 50% of Abu Khasib district’s freshwater needs. Despite rising salinity levels, the plant works at full power.
Saddoun Abboud, director of the Mahila desalination plant in Abu Khasib, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the plant operates at a full capacity of 3000 cubic meters per hour. This equals about 72,000 cubic meters daily. It supplies nearly half of the district’s population with clean water, 24 hours a day.
The plant is designed to handle salinity up to 30,000 TPS (Total Dissolved Solids). However, it still functions efficiently despite salinity rising to 35,000 TPS in the Shatt al-Arab waterway. Abboud credits this to the high-quality filters and materials imported from reputable international companies.
Additionally, the plant uses a monthly rotating system to distribute freshwater across different areas of Abu Khasib. Remote locations such as the district center, Al-Asmidah, and Abu Flous receive water via tankers.
Abboud emphasized that mechanical and chemical maintenance work runs continuously without disrupting production. The plant also employs an automated SCADA monitoring system, ensuring smooth operations. The facility treats pollution and oily patches found in Shatt al-Arab water through sedimentation basins.
Abboud noted a similar project exists in Abu Flous with equal capacity, but it has not started operations yet. The province has six desalination plants spread across Shatt al-Arab, Abu Khasib, Safwan, and Basra. These plants received prior approval from the Prime Minister.
The plant faces challenges, particularly illegal water network connections by some farm owners and factories. These actions disrupt water delivery to residential areas. Despite legal measures and security interventions to remove such violations, the issue persists.
Overall, the Basra desalination plant capacity plays a vital role in securing water for Abu Khasib residents. The ongoing maintenance, high-quality technology, and dedicated staff keep water flowing even under harsh conditions. As similar projects come online, Basra’s water security is expected to improve further.
