Despite violence, south Baghdad residents get first tap water in eight years

Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq, January 18, 2006 15:07

Crews repair a generator at one of two water treatment facilities near Latifiyah that provide residents fresh, potable water for the first time in eight years. (GRD file photo)

Despite insurgent activity, Iraqi workers completed repairs to two water treatment plants in south Baghdad after nearly four months of work. Due to their skill and bravery, an estimated one million Baghdad residents will benefit from the renovations that continued regardless of insurgent attacks.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Gulf Region Central (GRC) provided oversight for the restoration project. Local workers cleaned the large, 34-meter sedimentation basins, repaired pumps and generators, and installed new chlorine pumps. Because of these combined efforts, each treatment plant now produces about 2,000 cubic meters of clean, potable water per hour.

"Mahmoudiya and Latifiya residents in south Baghdad this week had water flowing from their faucets for the first time in nearly eight years," said Alfred Everett, GRC Resident Engineer supporting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. "That’s what people in those communities are telling us."

A Baghdad firm was awarded the project to rehabilitate two water treatment plants servicing the areas northwest of Latifiya along the Euphrates River.

"Despite setbacks and damage to the generators and other equipment in both facilities, the contractor successfully finished the job," said Everett.

"There’s no question that Iraqis working on these projects demonstrated significant courage every day."

By Norris Jones
Gulf Region Central District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers