Soldiers help bring life giving water to farmers 

By Spc. Tracy J. Smith 
48th BCT Public Affairs 

CAMP STRYKER, Yousifiyah, Iraq, July 4, 2005 – The Tigris River is the lifeblood of the village of Arab J-Bar and other rural farming communities here. 

On this, American’s Independence Day, Soldiers of the 48th Brigade Combat Team Civil Affairs Section paid a visit to Yousifiyah Pumping Station No. 1. They’re job…to follow-up on the progress of military engineering efforts to give the people of that region their independence. 

Literally thousands of families can benefit from the water supplied by the Yousifiyah pumping station. A heavy farming region, the need for water factors greatly into the community’s ability to survive on its own. 

Servicing a vital irrigation reservoir, the pumping station feeds from the only abundant water source, the Tigris River. Maintaining the pumping station, said Lt. Col. Thomas Carter has been challenging. Carter is the civil affairs officer for the 48th BCT. 

“Civil Affairs has been working with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity," he explained. "The goal is to have twelve hours of power every day. But because rolling blackouts are necessary, the down time puts significant demands on the pumping system.” 

The blackouts are mandatory, as the electrical infrastructure is re-worked to give consistent electrical service throughout Iraq. Once power is interrupted to the system, it takes up to one and a half hours to regenerate enough electricity to prime the pumps. That, Carter said, greatly minimizing the amount of water that’s supplied out to outlying areas. 

“We are very proud and very thankful for the U.S. Military’s help,” Abou Hamid stated through a translator. An apricot farmer who lives 25 kilometers from the pumping station and the Tigris, Hamid said he felt no one had taken an before interest in the region’s situation. He said he appreciates the concern the military and the 48th BCT Soldiers have shown to the Iraqi people. 

Hamid sometimes visits the pumping station along with his friend, Abou Najem, to offer any assistance they can and to admire the on going improvements to the station. 
“I see the situation getting better,” Hamid said. 

Initial requests for blackout exceptions were for the hours of 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. This allows farmers to get and store any resources they may need during the day. 

Initial surveys indicate that 12 pumps are needed to supply the region. However, only eight are operational when full electrical power is available. Generators can supplement the shortfall of power, but the antiquated generators that the station uses are difficult to repair and keep running. 

Wiring issues also do not permit more than eight pumps to operate at one time. A new generator has been delivered to the site and the civil affairs team has arranged for two more generators to be delivered by mid July. This will benefit farming efforts by supplementing the existing power deficit. 

A close community, the residents of Arab J’Bour are very considerate of each other. They desire peace, and to be successful and self-sufficient. Some villagers have set up private pumping systems so they achieve those goals. 

“We do not want to get in the way of the pumps ability to filter to other areas,” Adb Allah Umran said. He and his cousin, Hashim Yousif Salah, manage their family’s farm, which is very close to the pumping station. They have been permitted to set up a private system there. “Our farm is large, and close to the river, so this does not interfere with our neighbor’s, who live in more remote areas, ability to appreciate the irrigation waters.” 

Because of the arid conditions indigenous to this region, a farm cannot continue for more than two weeks without water. Crops will not survive. With the Yousifiyah pumps irrigation system operational, however, this challenge will be a problem of the past. 

“I thank you for everything,” Hamid said enjoying a cool sip of water. His friend Najem nodding in agreement as if in prayer. “My dream is to one day visit your country and repay you for all of your kindness, God willing.”