IRAQ: BASRAH WATER

May 17, 2008 at 12:01 pm | Posted in Arabs, Iraq, Middle East, Science & Technology, Third World | Leave a comment

Iraq Reconstruction –

Qurmat Ali pumping units

CEGRD-PAO (CEGRD.PAO@usace.army.mil)

Sattler, Alan G “Grant” GRD

(Alan.G.Sattler2@usace.army.mil)

Sat 5/17/08

May 17, 2008

Release No. 080517-1

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

GULF REGION DIVISION

Basrah Residents to enjoy more clean

water

By A. Al Bharani

Gulf Region South district

BASRAH, Iraq – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in southern Iraq is investing $9.5 million to develop one of the most strategic water projects here in Al-Garma north of the Basrah province.

The project aims to increase the Qurmat Ali pumping units capacity from 4,000 to 16,000 cubic meters per hour to provide uninterrupted flow of water for the people of Basrah and develop the infrastructure to improve the quality of life for all the people, said Ferdinand Guese, the project engineer in the USACE Basrah Area Office.

Guese said the project includes installation of a two part steel intake structure with all mechanical, electrical and civil related works, a low lift pump station to include five 2,000 cubic meter per hour pumps and a high lift pump station with six pumps ranging in size from 1,500 to 2,000 cubic meters per hour.

“A new chlorine building will be installed to include the chlorination system and chlorine, in addition to the construction of two water compact units at 400 cubic meters per hour each,” Guese said.

The project is one of many USACE is overseeing to rebuild and develop Basrah province. The projects were requested by Basrah Governorate and the Basrah Director General (DG), according to Army Maj. Stephen Dale, executive officer and operations officer of the Basrah Area Office of the USACE Gulf Region South district.

“Despite construction challenges in Iraq, Army Engineers contribute to a higher level of quality construction than usually seen in the region,” said the major.

Guese said GRS awarded this contract to Al Dayer United Company for General Construction in January 2008 and the project is about 20 percent finished and is to be completed by the end of this year.

Executive manager of Al Dayer United Company for General Construction said, “All the construction work we are doing here is under the supervision of the GRS. This project is one of the highly needed projects by the people of Basrah due to the high salinity in the water and the lack of water treatment systems in the province.

“In fact, I got more than one job opportunity in some other countries just like United Arab States and Lebanon, but I prefer staying here and get the honor of rebuilding my country and seeing those local people getting more jobs and more chances in life,” the executive manager said. “We are employing on an average 70 Iraqi local workers a day and I’m very happy to see these locals getting job opportunities so they can support their families and better their way of life,” he added.

Guese explained that USACE will build a diesel generator building, install two 2 megavolt generators, a 2500 gallon diesel fuel tank, transformers and all connections to provide a full time operating system to the Qurmat Ali pumping units.

Al, the USACE Iraqi deputy resident engineer overseeing the work at Qurmat Ali pumping units said, “Shatt Al-Arab is the source of raw water to supply this project and the construction work for this facility includes 11 new large intake pumps in addition to the renovation of the four existing ones.”

“The new facility will include a 3,000 cubic meter ground storage tank and it will have the capacity to produce 16,000 cubic meters an hour of treated water which will significantly supplement the existing water supply and will provide clean water supply for the 2.5 million residents in Basrah province,” said Al.

Al explained that the Basrah Area Office will provide about 80 hours of training for 15 electrical engineers and technicians for the operation and maintenance of the new water system and all the associated equipment and components.

An Iraqi citizen who lives in Al Qarma said, “We are anxiously awaiting the completion of this project. Currently due to the hot weather in summer and the lack of a sufficient water system in the Basrah province we suffer low or no water pressure. This project definitely will improve the water system in the area.”

Guese said that the upgrade of the water system will bring many benefits to the people of Basrah. By increasing the efficiency of water management, he said Basrah residents will enjoy more clean water.

-30-

Note: A. Al Bahrani is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Gulf Region South district, Gulf Region Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Iraq. For more information, contact public affairs by phone at 540-665-1233, by e-mail to CEGRD.PAO@tac01.usace.army.mil,

or visit www.grd.usace.army.mil

Iraq Reconstruction – Qurmat Ali pumping units