By Pfc. Evan Loyd
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
BAGHDAD – Local Iraqi leaders and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers held a reopening ceremony for the Bawi water pump and filter facility, Dec.13, in Salman Pak in the Kadamiyah District of Baghdad.
This water facility has the ability to provide water to almost all of the major areas of the Mada'in Qada and many of the minor areas too.
"Before the plant was reconstructed the volume of the water produced could only reach half the residents of Salman Pak and then only if power wasn't out," said Staff Sgt. Douglas King, from Spokane, Wash., the team sergeant for Civil Affairs Team 32, attached to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, MND-B. "Now there are four pumps and two large generators which can provide water to most of the Mada'in and without worrying about whether the power is up or not."
The Iraqi contractor for this project was tasked to rebuild the generators and enable the pumps and filtration systems to resume working.
"Engineer Mohammed and the contractor, Fahmi, did a great job of restoring the plant," said 1st Lt. Jesse Elmore, from Los Angles, Calif., the team leader for CAT-32. "Contractor Fahmi actually went above and beyond the job, even building a cover for the generators to keep the rain off of the electric parts."
Now that the plant is working, the government of Iraq's plan is to concentrate on the distribution systems throughout the Mada'in.
"This project is important to the continuing stability of the Mada'in," said Gen. Hussein, the commander of the 45th Iraqi Army Brigade, 11th IA Div. "Now with the water flowing I would like to welcome everyone back to farming."