The Sweet Water Canal was rendered nearly useless from neglect by Saddam Hussein's former administration. Photo courtesy USAID.BAGHDAD — The United States Agency for International Development, better known around the world as USAID, is making drastic improvements to the Iraqi infrastructure and improving the quality of life for millions.The agency maintains a myriad of projects at any given time, and spends millions of dollars to see them through from start to finish. Whether it’s improving Iraqi canals, ensuring local populations have clean drinking water or restoring city markets, the USAID footprint is prominent and welcome here.
One such undertaking was a massive project resulting in 1.75 million Basrah citizens gaining access to fresh drinking water. The aim: upgrade the Sweet Water canal to modern times.
The Sweet Water Canal, constructed in 1996 to supply water to Iraqis, pumps water to twenty-three plants around BasrahCity which treat and distribute water into the city. Saddam HusseinÂ’s old regime neglected the operation, and hadnÂ’t conducted maintenance since 1999. This resulted in the facility operating at less than half its capacity, leaving more than 80 percent of the treated water unfit to drink.
USAID renovated and improved the Sweet Water Canal, which now provides safe drinking water to nearly two million Iraqis. Photo courtesy USAID.At a cost of almost $38 million, the entire system is being rehabilitated by USAID to return essential services to Iraq. The 240-kilometer canal, its two pump stations, two reservoirs, and fourteen water treatment stations are all being repaired and rehabilitated.
Work has included dredging and cleaning the canal and reservoirs, refurbishing pump stations, providing backup power sources, repairing canal embankments, and replacing worn and broken parts.
Some of the canal's water treatment stations date to 1932 and upkeep was minimal. The canal and its reservoirs were filled in places with up to two meters of sediment, and vegetation was growing on the surface. A lack of dredging reduced the effectiveness of the reservoirs, and the high solids content of the water increased wear on the pumps.
By mid-spring 2004, residents of Al Basrah saw substantial improvements in their water supply, and by summer the quality and volume of fully treated water will surpassed pre-war conditions.
Restoring Markets
The al Korea Market before USAID renovations. Photo courtesy USAID.Another crucial project was restoring the al Korea market in Kirkuk, which had fallen into disrepair. Once the center of the communityÂ’s economic life, the market had degenerated and become unsanitary.
USAID responded by helping the community revitalize this important business center. Together, USAID and local residents paved the market road, installed new sidewalks, and dug a drainage canal. The local community contributed over $10,000 to this $60,000 project.
Today, people of all ethnicities and religions purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, and even used clothing at the market. It is now an attractive local gathering spot that makes shopping safer, pleasant, and fun.
The al Korea Market after USAID renovations. Photo courtesy USAID.USAIDÂ’S program works with local leaders to determine a communityÂ’s needs. With nearly 4,000 projects implemented to date, these communities are learning to achieve their goals by utilizing democratic tools.
Bringing Safe Water, Promoting Hygiene
For many displaced Iraqis in the Diyala and Sulaymaniyah provinces northeast of Baghdad, access to safe drinking water used to be limited. Unable to return home, they had to make do with the resources available in temporary settlements. Lack of access to safe water caused both health and hygiene problems.
Contaminated water causes sickness and disease often spread quickly in densely populated areas like the settlements. Also, without access to safe drinking water, it is difficult to maintain good hygiene.
The organization and its partners helped provide fresh water to displaced families and educate them about good hygiene. Now that water is available to many displaced families, they are staying healthy and are able to perform basic hygiene routines.
USAID offered hygiene education in 40 settlements in the two provinces. USAID supported training sessions for community members, teachers, water station caretakers, and religious leaders that aim to promote hygiene practices and prevent disease and water contamination.
At the end of training, participants returned to their settlements with important hygiene tips and advice. They worked with hygiene specialists to design appropriate programs and facilitated similar hygiene education sessions in their home communities.
By supporting community education efforts on water management, disease, personal hygiene, water contamination, and simple water treatment practices, USAID and its partners are improving the quality of life for displaced families in Iraq