Mixed Report on the Iraq Water Front

March 14, 2004 -- -- Five teams of reporters from ABCNEWS, the BBC and Time asked Iraqis across the country about the water situation: Has it improved? Worsened? Or have things remained roughly as they were, before the war began?

The overall picture was difficult to assess. Among all the criteria studied, this category has seen the least movement — positive or negative — since before the war.

Most Iraqis our news teams spoke with believe things are essentially as they were a year ago. In the north, however, a majority of Iraqis tell us there has been some improvement.

Iraqis themselves may be ambivalent, but the International Rescue Committee says that water quality for the country as a whole has improved "without a doubt."

Before the war, poor water quality was the leading cause of childhood disease and hospitalization in Iraq, and this remains true today. Garbage removal — while improving — is judged to be worse than before the war everywhere in Iraq.

Facts and Figures

140 major water treatment facilities now operating at about 65 percent of prewar levels. (Source: USAID)

60 percent of Iraqis have some access to clean water, but comparable prewar figures are unknown. (Source: White House)

Iraq has 13 major wastewater facilities, including three inoperable ones in Baghdad that served up to 80 percent of the capital's population. (Source: CPA)