Drinking water restored in south Baghdad area

ARNEWS ^ | Jan 23, 2006 | c. George Welcome

[SandRat]

BAGHDAD (Army News Service, Jan. 23, 2006) — The people in the cities of Mahmudiyah, Lutufiyah and Yusufiyah south of Baghdad are finally getting something they have gone without for over eight years now, a working water system to provide them with clean drinking water.

The water distribution system for the outlying cities of Baghdad was suffering from lack of proper and continuous maintenance, officials said. During the era of the Sadaam regime, the system was allowed to decay, forcing 300,000 residents to get their water from nearby canals, a practice they have continued until now.

The Iraqi government has taken the lead in the planning and organization of the projects, and officials said this is another sign showing just how far they have come in terms of having the ability to guide their cities and ultimately, their nation.

Local leaders in cooperation with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division engineer project office made water project completion a priority.

The south Baghdad area has recently experienced a drop in insurgent activity which allowed the projects to be completed ahead of schedule. This drop in enemy activity is attributed to the security efforts of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. who are committed to ridding the area of insurgent activity.

One of the first steps in getting the water flowing was the repair of the Kaa Kaa Water Treatment plant. At a cost of nearly $300,000 the project began on August 31 of last year.

The next step was the renovation of the SheShibar Booster Station, which pumps and routes the water to the various locales. This project cost roughly $ 104, 000.

The final step in getting the water distribution system up and running for the people of South Baghdad was the repair of a broken feeder line, which was main pipe sending water into the cities. The line, which is 36 inches in diameter, was ruptured by insurgents when they detonated an improvised explosive device. The cost of this project is nearly $ 19,000.

(Editor’s note: Spc. George Welcome serves with the 2nd BCT Public Affairs Section, 101st Airborne Division.)

[SandRat]

News from the 101st ABN

[IranIsNext]

Bush's fault

[wingsof liberty]

Awesome! Wont hear this on the MSM

[La Enchiladita]

Woo hoo, this is awesome news!! Iraq is making major progress, hand in hand with the U.S. and the Coalition.

Thanks for posting.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Well obviously: :)