Reconstruction Begins at Tuwaitha Water Treatment Facility

Members of the Mada’in Qada council break ground for reconstruction of the Tuwaitha water treatment facility, Jan. 23. The facility was in disrepair since being severely damaged during fighting between extremist groups after the fall of Sadam Hussein. When the facility is completed, it will provide fresh drinking water to the city of Jisr Diyala, one of the largest population centers in the Mada’in Qada.

By Spc. Ben Hutto
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Civic leaders from Jisr Diyala broke ground for reconstruction of the Tuwaitha water treatment facility, Jan. 23.

The facility was in disrepair since being severely damaged during fighting between extremist groups after the fall of Sadam Hussein.

Soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment attended the event.

“This project provides a long-term solution to a critical problem: a lack of suitable drinking water,” said Lt. Col. John Kolasheski, from Louden, Tenn., commander of 3-1 Cav. Regt. “In fact, this facility will provide fresh drinking water to over 150,000 local Iraqis.”

The 3-1 Cav. Regt. has been working with the government of Iraq and the Mada’in Qada council on the project.

When the facility is completed it will provide fresh drinking water to the city of Jisr Diyala, one of the largest population centers in the Mada’in Qada.

“The continued cooperation between the local government and coalition forces makes these projects possible,” said 1st Lt. Jeffery Ritter, from Dallas, chemical officer for Headquarters Troop, 3-1 Cav Regt. “The work being done today will provide for the next generation of Iraqis.”

The 3-1 Cav. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March, 2007.