Civil affairs team assesses water filtration systems

Photo By Sgt. Daniel Schneider | Staff Sgt. Jeff Blanchard, a civil affairs team sergeant of Company B, 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion and native of Polkville, N.C., listens to concerns from Iraqis in one of the villages receiving a solar powered water filtration system in Zadan, Iraq, Dec. 5.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

12.05.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Spc. Daniel Schneider

BAGHDAD — American civil affairs Soldiers, assessed solar powered water filtration systems installed by Iraqi contractors in the Zadan village area of Abu Ghraib, Dec. 5.

Soldiers and engineers of the 422nd Civil Affairs Battlion rolled out to various villages within the Zadan area, in western Baghdad, to inspect the filtration systems constructed to provide clean drinking water for Iraqis.

Civil affairs Soldiers conducted the follow-up missions to make sure contractors complete projects and solve the problems the projects were designed for, said Staff Sgt. Jeff Blanchard, a civil affairs team sergeant from Polkville, N.C.

These projects are made possible with Commanders Emergency Relief Program funding through micro-grants, said Blanchard.

Five solar powered water filtration systems were installed in various villages around the area.

Each filtration system can convert 15 liters of contaminated water per minute into safe drinking water, which will provide 240 Iraqi families with 30 liters of clean water per day, said Husam Abbas, an Iraq-born contractor who works with the 422nd CA Bn.

The filters collect and concentrate ultraviolet rays from the sun, killing harmful bacteria, providing safe drinking water for the local populace.

Another advantage of these systems is the cost; just $45,500 for all five units, according to Abbas. A comparable water filtration system in the U.S. would cost $120,000 per unit, he said.

Abbas plans to suggest a few improvements for future systems. One of these improvements would be a larger water tank, increasing the size from 3,000 to 4,000 liters. Another would involve placing a fenced-in area around the water tank to prevent insurgents from tampering with the clean water and from stealing valuable parts.

Projects like this offer immediate assistance to the Iraqi people and provide water with which to drink, clean, and cook. Blanchard concluded that this could prevent the desperation that leads to hostility.

• Date Taken: 12.05.2009
• Date Posted: 12.08.2009 07:38
• Story ID: 42443
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ