 |
Water and Sanitation
USAID has refurbished 10 sewage treatment plants in eight cities in Iraq providing sewage treatment to an additional 5.1 million Iraqis, processing 300 million gallons daily. 3.1 million Iraqis who had no clean drinking water in 2002 now have access to safe, potable water following USAID efforts to refurbish and expand 19 water treatment plants in five cities. Providing clean water and efficient sewage treatment has greatly improved sanitation and contributed to a decrease in waterborne disease. USAID's rural water program installed 70 small water treatment systems in rural communities throughout Iraq, providing clean water to almost 500,000 villagers each day. USAID also provided plant-level operations and maintenance (O and M) training at major water and wastewater plants nationwide to ensure that these plants remain functioning.
In addition, USAID's rural water program will install over 70 small water treatment systems in rural communities of less than 5,000 people. As of May 2006, 51 sites have been completed with the rest coming online by August. Countrywide, the rural water program will help to supply clean water to almost 500,000 villagers each day.
Restoring Essential Services
In 2003, Iraq's 140 major water treatment facilities were operating at about 35 percent of their design capacity (3 billion liters a day) due to inadequate maintenance, lack of plant operators, power shortages, and looting. USAID is helping improve the efficiency and reliability of existing treatment facilities, and is constructing several new facilities, especially in the south where water quality is particularly poor. Iraq has 13 major wastewater treatment facilities, operating at about a quarter of their design capacity. Baghdad's three sewage plants, comprising three quarters of the nation's total sewage treatment capacity, were not treating waste for more than six years before the conflict, allowing raw waste to flow into the Tigris River. In the rest of the country, most wastewater treatment facilities were only partly operational before the conflict, and a shortage of electricity, parts, and trained staff exacerbated the situation.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nationwide:
- Restored or provided new water treatment to over 2.3 million Iraqis and sewage treatment to over 5.1 million.
Baghdad:
- Expanded Sharq Dijlah water plant by 50 MGD and rehabilitated three sewage plants, which serve 80 percent of Baghdad's population, thus eliminating dumping raw sewage into the Tigris.
- Kerkh wastewater treatment plant (WTP) began operating on May 19, 2004, the first major Iraqi plant to operate at full capacity in more than 12 years.
- Standby generators have been procured and installed at 27 Baghdad water facilities, ensuring continued supply of treated water in the event of power outages.
- Refurbished existing sewage lines and pump stations serving the Kadhamiya area of western Baghdad.
South:
- Rehabilitated the Sweet Water Canal system: repairing breaches, cleaning and repairing the main water storage and settling reservoir and refurbishing 14 water treatment plants around Basrah city.
- Treated water production increased by over 100 percent, serving over 1.1 million additional people.
South Central:
- Rehabilitated two water plants and four sewage plants.
- Najaf, Diwaniyah, Hillah, and Karbala sewage plants serve nearly 1 million people.
- Water treatment plants in Najaf and Karbala serve more than 375,000residents and pilgrims near one of Iraq's holiest shrines.
North:
- Provided major equipment for Mosul Water and Sewer Directorates. Refurbished the Kirkuk WTP.
Back to Top ^
|
|
