Water levels change for VBC, Radwaniyah - Work continues at Jadriyah pump station

Courtesy Photo | The condition of the equipment at the pump station prior to the refurbishment effort...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | The condition of the equipment at the pump station prior to the refurbishment effort was poor. In addition to repairing four pumps, coalitions force repaired several leaking and/or inoperable valves such as this on, June 12.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.23.2008

Courtesy Story

926th Engineer Brigade

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By Spc. Anthony Hutchins
926th Engineer Brigade

BAGHDAD – In the desert water is a critical resource.

Throughout the past few months the water levels on Victory Base Camp have decreased significantly. This is partially due to the extremely dry winter that Iraq had during the late months of 2007 and early months of 2008. It was an unseasonably dry winter that saw very little rain in comparison to previous winters. This did not allow the lakes on VBC to refill to their normal levels as they might have in preparation for summer.

The water levels in Al Faw Lake and Slayer Lake dropped below the preferable lower limit. Al Faw Lake dropped below level in early April and Slayer Lake dropped before that back in early March.
By mid July, the water levels in the two lakes have stabilized. This is partially due to the 926th Engineer Brigade assisting in repairs to water pumps at the Jaddriyah Pump Station.

The repaired station has helped Iraq three fold.

"It has created jobs, rebuilt the existing infrastructure, and helped improve irrigation," said Col. Philip Jolly, deputy commander, 926th Engineer Brigade.

The situation with the water levels on VBC belongs to Department of Public Works and United States Army Corps of Engineers, but since the Jaddriyah Pump Station falls within the Multi-National Division – Baghdad operational environment, the 4th Infantry Division tasked repair responsibility to the 926th Eng. Bde.

The Jaddriyah Pump Station also supplies water to the Radwaniyah area in southern Baghdad. The 4th Infantry Division and the 926th Engineer Brigade are repairing the Jadriyah Pump Station to improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people who live in the areas which are fed by the pump station.

With the additional pumps working, more water can be supplied to the Iraqis living in the Radwaniyah District.

"They have already seen improvements as more water is flowing through the water treatment units in the area," said Maj. James Daffron, S-7 officer, 926th Eng. Bde.

As the water flow increases in the lakes, the excessive water will flow to the canals for the Iraqi people in the surrounding area. Approximately 1,000 local farms will get the much needed water which will provide a boost to the local agriculture industry and will provide additional food and employment opportunities to the residents of Radwaniyah.

Before the 926th started working with operators at the pump station only two out of 10 pumps were in operation. The station is designed to work with six large pumps in operation at one time pumping 16,000 gallons per minute. There are eight large pumps and two small pumps at the station. The two large pumps that were working prior to the brigade's involvement were not always working at full capacity. Due to faulty and outdated equipment, workers often needed to shut down the station for repairs.

Since mid July seven out of eight large pumps are in operation and work is in progress to improve the overall efficiency of the station.

A disarmament demobilization reintegration program, similar to a work reintegration training, has been drawn up to train Iraqi citizens to work at the station. The twenty-eight week training course will teach citizens how to operate the plant, do maintenance, and improve the efficiency of operations.

"This would give them usable skills that would keep them employed and away from insurgent militias," Daffron said about the DDR program.

In the month and a half that the 926th Eng. Bde. has been engaged in the project better operating techniques have helped improve the amount of water being sent to Radwaniyah and to VBC.