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Rusafa water plant expansion brings Iraqis clean water

Water from the Tigris River is stored in these pools at the Shark Dijlah Water Treatment Plant prior to its filtration. The plant recently completed expansion, allowing enough drinking water for approximately 2 million Al-Rusafa residents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Del Rosario, Task Force Baghdad PAO)

November 01, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The expansion of a water treatment plant in the Al-Rusafa region has brought thousands of gallons of fresh, clean water into residents’ homes since the 18-month project was completed in mid-July.

The Shark Dijlah Water Treatment Plant project included installation of more pipes, the extension of a pump housing area, and installation of more filters.

The expansion has increased the plant’s output to about 80 million gallons of water a day -- enough to supply water to about 2 million citizens, said Mr. Mazin, chairman of the provincial council and government representative of the expansion project. Mazin said it is the Iraqi government’s duty to look out for its citizens, and this project is just one way to do that.

"We have promised our dear citizens that we will carry out these projects," Mazin said. "This is just one of the projects we have promised them. We are trying very hard to expand such projects and start new ones in other areas to reach a desirable amount of drinking water being pumped to the city of Baghdad."

The treatment plant was originally built in 1935, according to a project fact sheet. The expansion included more than 42,000 cubic meters of earthwork and more than 23,000 cubic meters of concrete, and 4,800 meters of piping, as well as seven pump machines which Mazin said are an integral part of the purification process.

"These pools (of water) surrounded by concrete are from the Tigris River, where it undergoes the first steps of purification," Mazin said. "The second step of purification uses the seven pump machines, where it will be put in the large pools where they will add chlorine and other products of sterilization before it is pumped into pipe networks. From there, it heads for the Al-Rusafa district."

The expansion project also benefited local citizens by employing 700 Iraqi laborers during construction.

Mazin hopes to continue expanding projects to areas around Baghdad, but wants to gain the support of the Iraqi citizens during these projects which often require patience.

"We just need funds and time to start similar projects in other places and we need the citizens’ patience," Mazin said. "We want to let the people know that the Baghdad Governorate Council is the representative of the people and is overlooking the process of these projects."

By Spc. Derek Del Rosario - Task Force Baghdad PAO

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

Water from the Tigris River is transferred through these pipes at the Shark Dijlah Water Treatment Plant prior to its filtration. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Del Rosario, Task Force Baghdad PAO)

Additional water pumps and other machinery were installed during the expansion of the Shark Dijlah Water Treatment Plant. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Del Rosario, Task Force Baghdad PAO)

Mr. Mazin, chairman of the provincial council and government representative of the Shark Dijlah Water Treatment Plant expansion project, showcases the expanded above-ground pipe system at the plant Oct 24. The expansion provides approximately 80 million gallons of water a day to more than 2 million Al-Rusafa region residents. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Del Rosario, Task Force Baghdad PAO)

U. S. Servicemembers Continue to Aid Pakistan Quake Victims

Air Force Staff Sgts. Mario Mendizabal (left) and Ryan Atkinson, 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, observe the canopies of 14 pallets of humanitarian relief supplies open after being released from a C-130 Hercules over Pakistan Oct. 29. Two U.S. military aircraft delivered an estimated 50,000 pounds of aid, which included water, food and tents for shelter. (Photo by Army Sgt. Douglas DeMaio)

November 01, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- American military personnel are working around the clock to deliver relief supplies to earthquake-stricken regions of Pakistan, Pentagon officials said.

About 875 U. S. servicemembers are flying missions and providing support to the area northeast of the capital of Islamabad. Winter is setting in to the region, and blankets, shelter, food, clean water and medical care are in short supply, officials in Pakistan said.

About 225 soldiers have deployed with the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital to Muzaffarabad, the epicenter of the quake. The hospital has a surgical capability, and has 24 intensive-care-unit beds, 36 medical-surgical beds and 60 medium- to -minimal-care beds. A U. S. water-purification unit is also operational in the remains of the city.

About 125 engineers with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74 are working to clear roads and set up shelters. The Defense Logistics Agency delivered 800 tents to the region, and another 1,000 are on the way, officials said.

A total of 24 Army and Navy helicopters are operating in the region, with nine more expected to begin operations soon. Weather is curtailing some flights, but military personnel are flying whenever and wherever possible, officials said.

Oct. 30 was a typical day, with the choppers flying 52 sorties, according to a news release from Pakistan. They airlifted more than 310,000 pounds of supplies and carried 583 passengers. They also evacuated 64 people.

Since the quake struck Oct. 8, U. S. helicopters have flown 885 missions and evacuated 3,138 people. They have delivered almost 3. 5 million pounds of supplies to areas the quake isolated.

Air Force C-17 and C-130 aircraft have also delivered critical supplies to the region. The aircraft have also airdropped supplies to areas when the weather is too bad or the altitude too high for the choppers to fly.

There have been 95 airlift missions to Pakistan, carrying 882 tons of humanitarian-assistance supplies, 726 tons of equipment and 53 tons of medical supplies.

The Defense Department has also assisted Pakistan in moving relief supplies from foreign governments. American forces have delivered supplies from Bahrain, Egypt, France and the United Arab Emirates.

The Navy is moving relief supplies into Karachi, Pakistan's largest city and port. The USS Cleveland delivered 37 pieces of engineering equipment and relief supplies Oct 27. The USS Pearl Harbor made its second trip to the city and offloaded heavy engineering equipment Oct. 29. Two U. S. -funded contract ships are also under way to the port.

By Jim Garamone - American Forces Press Service

42nd ID hands over Iraq operations to 101st Airborne

Maj. Gen. Tom Turner, right, receives the colors from Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, center left. (Anita Powell / S&S)

By Anita Powell - Stars and Stripes Mideast edition

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

TIKRIT, Iraq — Standing in the shadow of Saddam Hussein’s former pleasure palaces, officials with the 42nd Infantry Division Tuesday morning formally ceded operations in north central Iraq to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) from Fort Campbell, Ky.

Attendees and leaders praised the progress that has been made since the 42nd ID, a New York Army National Guard unit, took control of the area in February.

“They have helped us in every aspect,” said Abdul Rahman Mustafa Fatah, 54, the governor of Kirkuk province. “Services, projects … for security, also.”

“The mission has been executed brilliantly,” said Lt. Gen. John Vines, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Multi-National Corps-Iraq. “To the men and women of Task Force Liberty, I thank you for a job brilliantly done.”

While in theater, the division made significant changes by: increasing the Iraqi Army units stationed locally to 18 brigades; closing 10 forward operating bases including FOB Danger, the former headquarters; and finding and arresting scores of insurgents.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the 42nd ID’s commander, said the division’s successors will carry on with no major changes.

“There won’t be any radical change,” he said. “That’s not in anybody’s interest. Things will just kind of keep going along.”

The 101st, he said, arrived in the area in recent weeks and are “already out there shaking hands and putting their arms around people. They’re going to have to take a little time to build up a relationship with Iraqis.”

Taluto said he feels that security will improve as more locals stop tolerating violence and begin to participate in the political process.

“I for once believe this is tied to the political process,” he said. “I think that as this process goes forward, the insurgency will be affected.”

He also said he felt that increased Iraqi involvement in security and political spheres would portend peace.

“Iraqi solutions to Iraqi issues: we’re seeing more and more of it,” he said.

Iraqi Army Gen. Abdul Jabar, a lifetime resident of the Tikrit area, said he felt the Iraqi Army would soon be up to the challenge of providing security in the area.

“We are ready because of the aid and help from coalition forces,” he said through a translator. “I cannot say we are 100 percent ready, but we are about to be ready.”

A slew of local leaders — including governors from four provinces and prominent Iraqi Army officials — attended to welcome the 101st and bid farewell to the 42nd. After the ceremony, Taluto was all but drowned under a sea of intricate carpets, decorative plates, pieces of art and effusive shows of affection pressed upon him by Iraqi leaders.

Incoming Maj. Gen. Tom Turner, commander of the 101st and Task Force Band of Brothers, expressed optimism at the prospect of returning to Iraq and working with local leaders.

“The 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault, is proud to be back in Iraq,” he said.