|
Erbil water treatment plant a model for
the region
28.9.2007
|
|
|
|
September
28, 2007
Erbil-Hewler, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', --
Recent outbreaks of cholera in parts of Iraq
highlight the need for basic services like clean
water. Development projects in much of the country
have been delayed because of the deteriorating
security situation there.
But in the relatively safe Kurdistan region in the
north, a U.S. development official points to new
progress. A report how the city of Erbil 's new
water treatment plant is the solution for the
growing demand for potable water.
Located on the banks of the Zab River in Kurdistan
'northern Iraq', the Ifraz water treatment plant now
produces clean drinking water for more than half a
million people in the Kurdish city of Erbil, the
capital of Kurdistan. Gary York with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers says this facility is one of the
largest Iraq reconstruction projects funded
primarily by American aid.
"The Ifraz was, I believe the second largest
(dollar-wise) construction project in the country,
coming in right around the $191 million mark," said
York. |
Ifraz water treatment plant on the banks of the Zab
River |
Like similar treatment plants around the world,
various filters here remove solid waste, and
chemicals like chlorine disinfect the water. "By
World Health standards this water has to be five
parts per million," said York. "As you can see we
are coming out not even one part per million."
The facility produces 6,000 cubic meters of clean
water an hour and pumps it to the city, 32
kilometers away.
Initially the water pressure produced by Ifraz
caused leaks in many of the city's existing water
mains.
Those neighborhoods not connected to Ifraz still
rely on deep wells owned by the city. Mashood Omar
operates a well that serves about 1,000 homes. He
says there is no testing for water quality, and
service is sporadic. "There are three pipes, and we
open one pipe per day," he said.
A U.S. development official credits the relative
peace and security of the region for the success of
the treatment plant in Erbil.
If the insurgency would ease, he says, this could be
a solution for other parts of Iraq.
voanews com
Top |
Kurd Net
does not take credit for and is not responsible for the content of news
information on this page
|
® 