Water Project Coming to Erbil
Much needed potable water project system construction just beginning.
By Nicole DalrympleU.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Gulf Region District North
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 13, 2004 –– Work has begun on a $100 million water project that could bring 6,000 cubic meters of clean drinking water to the people of Erbil every hour starting the end of next year. The water project is designed for an ultimate capacity of 10,000 cubic meters per hour.
The project which will be built in multiple phases includes a potable water treatment plant, an intermediate booster station, a storage tank and pipeline. The city has wanted a new plant for twenty years.
“I was born here. It is an honor and privilege to be a part of reconstructing Iraq. This is a noble cause,” Salar Said, project contracting office Erbil representative
Since the summer, five Iraqi contractors have been laying the groundwork for this multi-million dollar project. So far, workers have completed base camp construction, geological and topographical surveys, and grading work for the new pipeline.
Currently the project employees close to 140 Iraqis but the goal is to get up to 1,000, said Salar Said, the project contracting office’s Erbil representative.
The prime contractor has worked closely with the Ministry of Municipalities and Tourism to identify competent, quality, local contractors for this project.
“This has been a fantastic experience,” said Raymond Strain, on-site project engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “My purpose here is to ensure a good, solid product is built
for the Iraqi people and that it comes in on time and on budget. This is all about improving the quantity and quality of water for the people of this area.”
The Ministry’s Department of Water and Sewage, which covers the governorates of Erbil and Dohuk, has been partnering with area engineers to formalize plans to link the new pipeline into Erbil’s existing water distribution system.
The city of Erbil’s population is fast approaching one million. Two older water plants and natural deep water wells struggle to support the growing populace.
The new plant would take the pressure off the existing plants and would allow the city to shut off the wells. This would allow the natural aquifer to rejuvenate and be used exclusively for agriculture.
A new Iraqi subcontractor has mobilized to the site and will soon begin work on the early construction package, which includes excavation, grading and concrete work.
“We are very excited about this project,” Said stated. “The city is just booming. Construction is everywhere. This water project will bring needed water to our growing community.”
Said, who was born in Iraq, moved away in 1977 to attend college in the United States and has since been living in Canada. He returned to Iraq a year and a half ago to work as an advisor for housing and construction work. “I was born here,” he said. “It is an honor and privilege to be a part of reconstructing Iraq. This is a noble cause.”