GoI, MND-B Soldiers Discuss Water Treatment Plant Repairs
By Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield, 2/25 SBCT
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and water engineers visited three insolvent compact water treatment units in Al Raood, Dhabtiya, and Um Najim, small cities in the rural areas northwest of Baghdad, July 8, to locate problems and determine how to fix them.
Since 2004 nearly 400 water treatment facilities have been built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with the intent of providing residents clean water.
Sustaining newly built or rehabilitated Iraqi water and sewage facilities is just as imperative as providing them, and regrettably many of the small rural water projects lacked the provisions and the knowledge to preserve the units.
Capt. Brian Sweigart, native of San Antonio, and commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, “Wolfhounds,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division and Dr. Natik Joudi, a bi-cultural advisor who has a doctorate in water engineering, have developed an arrangement with Iraqi government officials to get these units back up and running.
“The contracts have already been approved for work to begin,” said Natik. “When the water units reach full capacity they will provide water for over 12,500 people, enough for the entire population of this area.”
Once they have been repaired the GoI has committed to maintaining the units and will continue to provide clean water for the residents of the area, he said.
With the project underway, the units should be complete within 45 to 60 days.
“The important part here is that we have started making progress and people will be getting clean water to drink soon,” said Sweigart.
Providing clean water for people to drink is not a trivial concern, but a necessary development for the infrastructure of this country.
“This problem seems small and simple but it has a great effect on the bigger operation,” Natik said. “With the Iraqi government’s help, my people will have a higher quality of water as well as a higher quality of life.
