V CORPS ENGINEERS HELP IRAQIS BUILD LONG-AWAITED SEWAGE PUMPING STATION
V Corps Release
Release Date: 9/03/2003
By Sgt. Mark S. Rickert 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A new sewage pumping station in Baghdad will soon be operational, thanks to the joint efforts of V Corps's B Company, 70th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division, and Iraqi contractors and workers.
The new sewage pumping station will intercept raw sewage that dumps into the canal running between the al-Shul'lah and the Ghazalyia neighborhoods. The pumping station will then redirect the sewage into a nearby water treatment facility, says Capt. Alan Dinerman, the assistant operations coordinator for the 70th.
For the past three decades, sewage has been flowing through the canal. Prior to the Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Iraqis planned to connect these pumping stations into a sewage network, but the project was never completed. As a result, over a million liters of raw sewage dumps into the canal daily, said 1st Lt. John Prettyman, the battalion's project manager for the station.
"The Iraqis wanted to clean the canal, but because of their lack of freedom, they couldn't get help," said Prettyman. "Our goal is getting the sewage out. It's a health issue, and it's not good for the community.
The pumping station is not the only way the engineers have improved the quality of life in the communities. Recently, the engineers opened a bridge that crosses the canal, bringing the two communities together (to read a story on that project, click here). During the bridge's ribbon-cutting ceremony the smell of sewage wafted up from the canal below. Once the pumping station is operational, the local people will have even more reasons to celebrate.
As the 70th pushes for improvements in the two adjoining communities, they use a methodical means of support. While they do provide funds, security, and maintenance for the pumping station, the U.S. troops are not actually building the facility. Instead, the engineers allow Iraqi contractors to hire local labor. According to Prettyman, this form of support promotes a sense of ownership in the community.
"We do our best to get them what they need to get the job done," said Prettyman. "But our main focus is to push from the rear. We're not here to lead; we're here to help them. This is their country, and we want them to do their own projects and rebuild their own community. We're simply a support element."
"We act as a liaison between the different Iraqi government engineers," Dinerman said. "This allows the Iraqi system of restoration to work for itself. We want the Iraqi people to fix their own country," said Dinerman. "By serving as a liaison between different Iraqi government engineers and contractors, we allow their system to become stronger.
So when we leave, they will have a self-sustaining government."
Bringing local contractors to the site also stimulates the economy by putting money into the workers' pockets.
"This is good for everyone," said Maj. Tony J. Hofman, 70th Engineers operations officer. "If we have international organizations building the pumping station, then the local workers don't get a chance to make money. So this is good for the economy, and at the same time, the Iraqi people see other Iraqis working, and it creates a more positive attitude for the people."
The pumping station is still under construction, and contractors estimate it will be another few weeks before the first phase is operational. Once the station is complete, the cleaner canal will greatly improve the adjoining communities. Aside from alleviating the odor, the neighborhoods will benefit from a healthier environment.
"Once we complete this submersible sewage pumping station, we will no longer have a collection of stagnant sewage in the canal," said Dinerman. "This will make an immediate impact in terms of health risks and will provide a cleaner environment for the people to live, work and interact."
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