Monday, 24 November 2008 By Norris Jones
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
THI QAR PROVINCE — Families in a small village north of Nasiriyah are anxiously awaiting the completion of a water treatment facility that will provide them a local source of clean drinking water for the first time ever.
Approximately 1,500 residents live in the Al Shofa neighborhood, which will be served by the new 50-cubic-meter-per-hour facility. Dozens of Iraqis have been involved on the construction crew for the nearly $350,000 project that includes 4 kilometers of a water distribution network. Among those getting access to the treated water is the local Al Qitab primary school and the 120 students attending classes there.
“Our community was pumping raw water out of a canal for household use. It was not good water,” explained headmaster Farage Jabbar Ali. “We are all very happy to see this project nearing completion.” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed more than 830 other water projects in Iraq and nearly 80 more are ongoing.
The work is being overseen by Navy Cmdr. Terry Hart with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Everyone we talk to there has been very supportive,” he noted.
The project began a year ago and should be finished next month. It includes an intake structure, 50-cubic-meter elevated storage tank, operations building, chemical and storage building, back-up electrical generator, and a perimeter wall. Cmdr. Hart’s staff is overseeing the construction of 15 water treatment plants in Thi Qar Province.
“This is what it’s all about – helping people. I’m pleased to be part of this effort providing Iraqi families access to a fundamental necessity. They’re delighted to see it taking shape and grateful for what we’re doing,” said Hart, a Naval Reservist from Frankenmuth, MI.
“We’re making a difference. This project lets them know their government is working and things are getting better,” she said.