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| Compact water treatment units at the Karbala WTP. |
Washington, DC -- Weekly Update -- This fact sheet highlights overall accomplishments and some weekly activities from USAID’s reconstruction efforts in Iraq. For more information on USAID’s programs in Iraq please see: www.usaid.gov/iraq
Program Overview
USAID's goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially those in the south where water quantity and quality are particularly low. An anticipated 11.8 million Iraqis will benefit from USAID's $600 million in water and sanitation projects.
HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK
Workers continued to install equipment and run tests as work moves forward on the refurbishment of a water treatment plant in Karbala.
The plant is located in the city’s center, near one of Shia Islam’s holiest shrines. In addition to providing water to city residents, potable water is supplied seasonally to an estimated three million pilgrims. The plant’s original clarifiers were replaced with four undersized clarifiers that did not treat water to standards needed for efficient downstream treatment. Some of the plant’s processes were becoming overloaded by sediment. Marginal disinfection was effective with most bacteria, but was less effective with pathogens that cause amoebic dysentery, a public health risk exacerbated by the seasonal influx of millions of pilgrims.
Because it was in such a dire state of disrepair, the design originally called for replacement of the clarifiers rather than repair, but local governing authorities disagreed. A compromise was reached to install compact clarifier units adjacent to the existing clarifiers, allowing for future rehabilitation of the existing plant. This project will install 10 compact water treatment plants, with a total capacity of 25 million gallons per day. The project will also enlarge the existing inlet works and associated pump station.
Recently, workers completed installation of the cable tray at the intake structure and the low lift pumping station. Sand media is being placed in the compact treatment unit filters. Main generator testing has begun at the low lift station. Four of the compact units could be ready to receive flow as early as July 1 if the plant provides adequate operating personnel. The project is now 54 percent finished and will be complete in September 2005.
Source: USAID, http://www.usaid.gov/
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