Clean Water in Ancient Ninevah, Iraq

Clean Water Flows to Ninewa Homes

 

The Tall Ashier water station manager inspects the flow of clean water from his station. Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for two water stations built in the Qayyarah sub-district of Ninewa province, south of Mosul, July 23. Photo courtesy of 1st Cavalry Division.

MOSUL — Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held for two water stations built in the Qayyarah sub-district of Ninewa province, south of Mosul, July 23.

These projects will dramatically increase the amount of homes that receive water and are a part of an ongoing campaign to provide the people of Iraq with essential goods and services.

The first ribbon cutting ceremony was at the renovated water station in Imam Sharqi. The project helped employ 30 local citizens for 60 days of work.

Prior to the renovations the local residents had to alternate which villages would receive water from day to day. Now all five villages can get water at the same time.

The ceremony was attended by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment "Chargers" and local Iraqi government leaders.

The ceremony began with Mayor Saleh of Qayyarah cutting the ribbon. Saleh followed-up with

comments to the crowd that gathered.

Saleh thanked the U.S. for all the work and financial support on this project. He further stated that this project will supply water to 150 homes in five villages.

Lt. Col. Michael Fadden, the Chargers’ commander, followed Saleh. "We're glad to be able to help the people, mayor and city council with this project," said Fadden.

The Charger Battalion's primary mission will be to further help the sub-district of Qayyarah with developing and executing reconstruction projects, said Fadden.

Following the ceremony, all the guest departed to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Tal Ashaier water station.

The old water station, built in 1979, could only provide water to 150 homes. With the renovation, the water station will provide sufficient water to 600 homes.

The Tal Ashaier water station renovation, like the Imam Sharqi water station, employed 30 local workers for 60 days.

Mayor Saleh again thanked U.S. troops for their involvement on the project and further thanked the contractor, Turki Hilal Mubarak, for all of the extra items he included in the renovation.

The contractor had added a wall, an extra pump house, 1,000 meters of pipe and nearly doubled the size of the sand filters.

Lt. Col. Fadden said the battalion was glad to help the people of Tall Ashaier.

"We just finished the water station and should be starting the Tall Ashaier Boys School soon," said Fadden.  "We will be here until the end of the year and will continue to help with projects as long as they're welcome.”

(By 2nd Lt. Jeff Orban, 1st Cavalry Division)