Authorities in southern Sulaimani province have issued a public warning against drinking tap water after over 2,500 residents were treated for gastrointestinal symptoms at local hospitals in recent days.

Ramazan Aref, head of the Sharazoor Water Directorate, informed Rudaw that the cause of the outbreak remains unclear, though water samples have been collected for testing. The General Hospital of Shahid Raouf advised residents to drink only bottled or filtered water and avoid consuming municipal tap water until further notice. The hospital has also requested that Sulaimani’s central health directorate initiate a formal investigation into the potential contamination.

Sharazoor residents, alarmed by the rising cases of illness, expressed concerns about the condition of municipal water. “We let the water sit for an hour or half an hour until it becomes clear,” said resident Hersh Ahmad, who noted an unpleasant odor in the tap water.

Water pollution is a longstanding issue in the Kurdistan Region and across Iraq, exacerbated by improper disposal of municipal and industrial waste directly into waterways. This contamination has led to health issues and damage to agriculture and livestock. In September, similar reports emerged from Halabja, where residents complained of contaminated streams harming crops and causing illness.

As authorities work to determine the source of the contamination, residents are urged to follow safety guidelines and use bottled or filtered water to minimize health risks.