Army Corps of Engineers North Oubaidy, Baghdad

$15M Cleanup Effort Underway for North Oubaidy Sewage Problem

By Alicia Embrey Gulf Region Central District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- On the sewage-flooded, garbage-strewn streets of North Oubaidy District, Baghdad, reconstruction is taking hold. The rebuilding of the infrastructure, however, will take time. Fortunately, according to a resident of North Oubaidy, the people of Iraq are a patient people. They endured under Saddam’s regime for decades without improvements; now that work is beginning, any visible improvement is noticeable and welcomed.

The cleanup effort is underway in an area where barefoot children play as sewage oozes from a nonexistent infrastructure. According to Ken Larson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers resident engineer stationed at Camp Ironhorse, the Mahalla suburb east of downtown Baghdad never has had either a sewer system or a properly functioning water distribution system.

“The neighborhood has suffered for 25 years,” explained Maj. Pete Andrysiak, 20th Engineers Battalion, operations officer. “This is the result of a system designed for a population of ten thousand that is now occupied by up to one hundred thousand, and long neglected by the previous government.”

The project, a priority of Col. Robert B. Abrams, 1st Brigade Combat Team commander and Lt. Col. Lawrence B. Holmes, 20th Engineer Battalion commander, was to be funded and executed by the Project Contracting Office (PCO). “During this time, PCO had a lot of money pulled from the water sector, when it was time for cuts, this was a logical choice,” Andrysiak said.

Andrysiak, due to his previous USACE assignment, revived the project with the expertise of the Corps of Engineers. The Corps with its negotiation, contract, and project management experience, reduced the original bid of 89 million to 15 million. By refining the scope of work, USACE saved 63 million dollars.

“USACE has a resident office on site that is staffed with civilians and Soldiers that know the military, and can communicate and deliver accordingly,” Andrysiak said. “I can’t say enough about the support we have received to date. The whole team is incredible.”

With the 20th Engineers and USACE working together, the project was rejuvenated and Col. Abrams secured the necessary funds.

The construction endeavor will center on a complete sanitary sewer system with trunk lines and rehabilitation of the current water distribution system. The new system will include sewer mainline pipes and manholes, the connection and/or construction of laterals to approximately 12,500 homes – each averaging 8 to 10 people, as well as businesses. The project also provides for the construction of three pump stations.

A future environment with clean water, reliable power and dry sidewalks is only months away. Local subcontractors hired residents to clean two district sections of open slit trenches and standing raw sewage and to alleviate general pooling of sewage and storm water. As a result, improvements are already visible.

Although they are improving, current conditions present an uncontrollable health hazard. “Until the system is fully operational, the sewage will be directed to collection points located away from the habitable area now plagued,” said Travis Lynch, USACE, 1BCT project engineer. “This is a temporary solution to improve the health and quality of live issues in the immediate area.”

“The success of this project will help many Iraqis to trust in their government and the Coalition Forces,” said Cpt. Lee De Jesus, 20th Engineer Battalion project manager. “This project will be the first step toward providing better living conditions in other areas throughout the district. Kamalaya, just to the south, is next in line for improvements.” Release #050204k