Iraqi Ministry of Environment

This study (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3298-0) assesses the impacts of untreated wastewater discharge from Sulaimani City, Iraq, into the Tanjero River and proposes a framework for wastewater treatment planning. Nine sewer outlets representing residential, commercial, industrial, tourism, and hospital effluents were sampled over a year, and physicochemical analyses revealed elevated levels of turbidity, total dissolved solids, hardness, nitrates, and heavy metals—particularly in industrial zones. Questionnaire surveys conducted in 31 surrounding villages indicated significant health burdens, including chronic diseases, diarrhea, typhoid, skin disorders, and cancer, alongside impacts on livestock, fisheries, and agricultural productivity. Rice cultivation has nearly disappeared, and vegetable farming has declined due to water contamination. The findings highlight severe environmental and public health risks from current practices, where raw wastewater is still used for irrigation and animal watering. To mitigate these impacts, the study recommends constructing two wastewater treatment plants with stormwater retention structures, enforcing pretreatment of industrial effluents, and introducing appropriate on-site sanitation for unconnected households. Adoption of these measures would safeguard water resources, improve public health, and enable the safe reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture and industry.