Accomplishments: Water and Sanitation

Weekly Update #8 تقرير رقم 7 Sweet Water Canal Project Basrah, Iraq October, 2003 Accomplishments: Water and Sanitation Iraq's operating capacity for its 140 major water treatment facilities was 3 million cubic meters a day before the war. Today, facilities operate at about 65% of that level, primarily due to years of neglect, electricity shortages and post-war looting of plant and emergency generators. Iraq has 13 major sewage treatment plants. Baghdad's three sewage treatment plants, which together comprise three-quarters of the nation's sewage treatment capacity, are inoperable, allowing the waste from 3.8 million people to flow untreated directly into the Tigris River. In the rest of the country, most sewage treatment plants were only partially operational prior to the conflict, and shortages of electricity, parts, and chemicals have exacerbated the situation. Water that is pumped through the system is largely untreated, especially in the south. USAID's goal is to improve the efficiency and reliability of existing water treatment facilities, especially those located in the south where water quantity and quality are particularly low. To increase the water supply, work is underway to rehabilitate 15 water treatment facilities and portions of the Sweet Water Canal to Basrah. USAID-supported water and sanitation projects will benefit over 14.5 million Iraqis. Water Accomplishments Local children swimming in a leak pond created by a break in the water line. (Photo: Capt Stuart Bage, STRE) Immediately after the war, USAID repaired over 1,700 critical breaks in Baghdad's water network, significantly increasing Baghdad's water flow. In Basrah, water supply has been restored to prewar levels through rapid response grants. More than 1.6 million people now have access to water services. At Baghdad's Saba Nissan water plant, repairs and new machinery will add 225,000 cubic meters (40% increase in water supply to eastern Baghdad) a day to the water supply by May 2004, benefiting 640,000 Baghdad residents. Completed 98% of the ongoing restoration at the Safwan water pumping station, on schedule to be completed in early November and will benefit 40,000 people. 48 compact water treatment plants in An Najaf have been rehabilitated, providing safe water to 100,000 people. Began rehabilitating the Sweet Water Canal that provides drinking water to 1.3 million residents of Basrah City. It is currently running at less than half capacity. Project will renovate the entire system including the canal, reservoirs, and water treatment plants, restoring operation to full capacity and significantly improving water pressure and flow to Al Basrah. Installing back-up electrical generators for the pumps at 37 Baghdad water facilities and pumping stations to ensure continuous water supply. CARE, an international NGO, is repairing and rehabilitating water provision systems throughout central and southern Iraq increasing access to clean water for rural populations, with a special focus on providing clean water to rural schools and rural health centers. Sanitation Accomplishments All of Baghdad's sewage treatment plants will be repaired and running at full capacity by October 2004, serving 3.8 million residents. Rehabilitation is underway at two sewage treatment plants in Baghdad, Rustimiyah and Kerkh. Rehabilitated 70 of Baghdad's 90 non-functioning waste pumping stations. Repairing the Diwaniyah and Karbala' sewage treatment plants, which are currently discharging untreated waste into the Euphrates River, to serve 200,000 residents. Rehabilitating An Najaf and Al Hillah sewage treatment plants to serve 194,000 residents. USAID Cooperation with UN Agencies in Iraq - 10/24/03 Transcript: Electricity and Water Update - 06/10/03 USAID Awards Iraq Infrastructure Contract - 04/27/03 USAID Announces Grant to UNICEF for Health, Water and Sanitation Services in Iraq - 03/28/03