Awarded | Open Tender Procedures

The Duhok Main Water Treatment Plant (DMWTP) is the primary source of potable water for Duhok city. Located near the village of Khrab-Deem (GPS coordinates: 36.909859, 42.531880), the facility sources raw water from the Tigris River northeast of the city. Construction began in mid-2007 and was completed by mid-2012. The plant has a treatment capacity of 10,800 m³/h, equivalent to 259,000 m³/day, and currently supplies safe drinking water to approximately 620,000 residents in Duhok and surrounding areas.
The intake structure at the DMWTP faces operational challenges due to declining and highly fluctuating water levels in the Tigris River. On some days, river levels rise or fall by up to two meters within a few hours, creating unstable hydraulic conditions. These fluctuations promote the accumulation and movement of aquatic vegetation, algae, and river plants, which frequently clog the intake screens. Despite routine cleaning operations—conducted once or even twice daily—organic matter often bypasses the screens, fouling the pump impellers and degrading performance.
Further complications arise from sudden spikes in turbidity, particularly during rainy periods when levels can reach up to 10,000 NTU. The turbulent water carries rocks, debris, and river organisms into the intake channel, causing physical damage and impairing the performance of the submersible pumps. These hydraulic instabilities also place electrical and thermal stresses on pump motors, accelerating wear on bearings, seals, and other critical components.
Although the installed submersible pumps are specifically designed for river environments and are generally robust, the harsh and unpredictable conditions have significantly reduced the lifespan of mechanical parts. As a result, frequent maintenance and timely replacement of damaged components are essential to sustaining operations.
Currently, the WTP operates with eight submersible pumps at its intake. However, two pumps are non-functional due to a shortage of spare parts and maintenance materials. The remaining six pumps are run on a rotational basis, with two kept offline at a time and the remaining four keep working. This limitation prevents the station from operating at full capacity and risks creating water shortages for Duhok city.
To address this, LWF plans to support the plant by supplying the required spare parts and maintenance materials to restore all eight pumps to full operation. Additionally, LWF will collaborate closely with the Khrab-Deem WTP management and relevant government offices to establish a sustainability plan. This will ensure the continued reliable operation of the facility and help safeguard Duhok’s water security against future challenges.