On December 23rd 2018, the Government of Basra Governorate, the Republic of Iraq and the Chinsese Consortium which consists of China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited ('Energy China'), China Energy Engineering Group International Co., Ltd ('Energy China Int'l') and BeltWay Group Limited ('BeltWay') signed a contract on Project of Basra Water Desalination and Water Treatment Plant.

The desalinated water capacity of Shatt al-Arab III Water Desalination Plant is 3,000 m3/h; the purified water capacity of Al-Abbas Water Treatment Plant is 5,000 m3/h. The construction of the Al-Abbas Water Treatment Plant (Phase I) has commenced in late June, 2019.