Residents in a southern Iraqi city will soon receive more drinking water thanks to three women with remarkable stories. Fadiliya, a community of 10,000 people, currently receives only 60 percent of its water needs from existing infrastructure. A new 200 cubic meter per hour treatment facility is under construction and expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Project engineer Colleen Hickey and construction representative Toni Graves with Gulf Region Division are overseeing the construction of the $748,000 facility beside the existing water treatment plant.

Engineer Montaha, the Iraqi contractor’s senior representative, is in charge of the crew doing the work. She grew up in nearby Muthanna Province and attended Basrah University, majoring in civil engineering.

According to Hickey, this is the largest facility of the 15 water treatment plants she is managing. She has high praise for Montaha and the quality of construction her workforce is doing.

"As an engineer, you always look at the angles and lines, and everything there is as it should be," Hickey said. "It’s a well-maintained, clean site, and unique in many aspects. For instance, in the landscaping plan, they’re putting in a garden area. The storage room for chemicals is tiled in blue ceramic. It’s a showpiece site and everything is done well."

Hickey enjoys her job. "I love it. I enjoy going out in the community and seeing what’s really going on, how families live, talking with residents. They appreciate our efforts. They see things are getting better."

Arriving in Iraq last July, Hickey plans to serve a nine-month tour. She says her family and friends are supportive. "They may have thought I was a little crazy, but they enjoy hearing what we’re doing here and the impact we’re making."

Graves, a construction representative with 34 years of government service, deployed to Iraq last December from Louisville District’s Fort Knox Area Office. During her 12 years there, she was involved with civil works projects such as flood control, detention basins, state parks, locks, and dams.

Regarding her Iraq duty, Graves says, "I think it’s wonderful we’re able to help some needy families get access to fundamental necessities. They’re always kind and friendly, delighted to see these projects take shape, and grateful for what we’re doing."

USACE has helped complete 820 water projects in Iraq, and 85 more are ongoing.