Drivers and barriers towards sustainable water management in Erbil Kurdistan Region of Iraq

This study identifies and examines drivers and barriers toward effective integrated and sustainable management and governance practices based on ecosystem services’ perspective of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s water management area. A combination of a systematic literature review and 28 individuals from Ankawa, Kasnazan, Haran City, Eskan, Bakhtiari, Tairawa, Mastufi, Khabat and Saiudawa were randomly interviewed. The decisions to use residents of these areas are based on their location as well as mixed challenges and conditions regarding water supply and use based on their social and economic statuses. The responses were analysed using NVivo 12 and the results of the study indicated that there have been substantial increases in environmental and ecosystem services awareness has been a key driver of heightening sustainability initiatives in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Additionally, the study reveals that lacking coherence between actors and sectors concerning natural resource governance is a major obstacle to undermining sustainable water management initiatives. It is inferred through the established findings that sound leadership, localized, decentralised management structures, and sustainable developments are pivotal for enhancing the water management efforts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Moreover, local water suppliers, residents, farmers and decision-makers are encouraged to adopt additional and sound water monitoring practices to improve ecosystem services and valuable contributions toward improving human beings’ well-being.