Soldiers Open Well, Facilitate Water Distribution

A local sheik cuts the ribbon at a well opening ceremony in Al Wardiya Dec. 14. Capt. Rich Thompson, from West Palm Beach, Fla., commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, looks on. Soldiers from the 1-15th Inf. Regt. facilitated the establishment of the well through the Commander's Emergency Response Program. (Photo courtesy of 1-15th Inf. Regt.)

By Maj. Joe Sowers, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment joined local leaders and Iraqi Security Forces at a well opening in Al Wardiya Dec. 14.

Leaders from the 1-15th Inf. Regt. worked with local leaders for four months to construct the well and provide a long-term, reliable source of water for the community which had long dealt with water distribution problems.

"The contractor performed exceptionally and the facility is extremely well done," said Capt. Matt Givens, from Columbus, Ga., the civil-military operations officer for the 1-15th Inf. Regt. "The facility is currently producing water for the people of Al-Wardiya."

During the summer, local leaders from Al Wardiya came to the regiment, stressing that improved water distribution in their community was a top priority. Utilizing funds from the Commander's Emergency Response Program, Givens hired a local contractor who began work in late August. Givens monitored progress by conducting bi-weekly inspections to ensure the work was being done properly.

"The project has served two purposes," Givens said. "The first was that it employed 28 people from the local community for almost four months. The second, and most important effect, is that this project will provide the people of Al-Wardiya with a clean, reliable source of water for years to come."

Givens explained that improved security conditions in Al Wardiya have allowed projects like this to take place. Iraqi National Policemen are maintaining a checkpoint within 400 meters of the well. A caretaker will live on the grounds of the well to assist in securing and operating the facility.

The facility contains a 40m well, a water compact unit, four storage tanks, an electric pump, a generator, a dispensing station and living quarters for the caretaker.

"Out of all the projects we conduct, the ones that I am happiest with are the ones that provide the most amount of good for the most people," Givens said. "This well provides an essential need to a people who have struggled for water for a long time."

A local sheik and Capt. Rich Thompson, from West Palm Beach, Fla., commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, enter a new water distribution facility in Al Wardiya Dec. 14. Soldiers from the 1-15th Inf. Regt. facilitated the establishment of the well through the Commander's Emergency Response Program. (Photo courtesy of 1-15th Inf. Regt.)

Local leaders and Iraqi National Police tour a new well and water distribution facility in Al Wardiya Dec. 14. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment facilitated the establishment of the well through the Commander's Emergency Response Program. (Photo courtesy of 1-15th Inf. Regt.)

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment exit a well and water distribution facility in Al Wardiya Dec. 14. Local leaders hosted a grand opening of the facility that was attended by local citizens, Iraqi National Police and 1st Battalion,15th Infantry Regiment Soldiers. Soldiers from the 1-15th Inf. Regt. facilitated the establishment of the well through the Commander's Emergency Response Program. (Photo courtesy of 1-15th Inf. Regt.)

Workers lay bricks at the site of the Al Wardiya well and water distribution facility in late August. Local leaders hosted a grand opening of the facility that was attended by local citizens, Iraqi National Police and 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment Soldiers Dec. 14. Soldiers from the 1-15th Inf. Regt. facilitated the establishment of the well through the Commander's Emergency Response