New Purification System Brings Fresh Water, Hope to Samarra

FOB BRASSFIELD-MORA — The GoI has completed installation of a new water purification system on the Rassassi Canal, bringing clean drinking water and optimism to hundreds of families in the area.

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"Success is everywhere, and the insurgents know it," Farhan Thamer, a Samarra resident, said. "The Golden Mosque in Samarra is being rebuilt, the pilgrims are visiting, the water and power systems are being repaired, the farmers are farming -- the govt is beginning to take care of us.” Muhammad Soluman, dir. gen. of water for Samarra, oversaw a team of Iraqi contractors who performed maintenance work on an existing water purification system and the construction of a new one. "This project has been a great success," Soluman said, "but it is only the beginning. We will continue our efforts until all the people of Samarra have the water they need." U.S. Soldiers with the 25th ID’s 3rd BCT helped to coordinate funding for the project from the Cmdr's Emergency Response Program. The purification system comprises 2 water pumps, a generator, 2 aluminum sulfate clarifiers and 2 sand filters. While the purification system is good news for residents, much work remains to repair the destruction caused over the last 6 years, officials said. Samarra currently receives only 2,000 cubic liters of water per hour. Nearly double that amount is required to bring clean water reliably to the entire city. As construction of the nearby Jalisia power station nears completion, the electrical grid in eastern Samarra will be dramatically improved, making continued op of the water units more reliable, and the installation of new units a possibility. "The people in Samarra are very excited about all the improvements being made," local resident Munther al-Abasi said. "The security is good and the children are going to school without fear."

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