U.S. Water News Online
MOSUL, Iraq -- Flashing a thumbs up sign, the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division gave orders to turn on the newly renovated pumps of a water station that will allow the irrigation of more than 150,000 thousand acres of land in northwestern Iraq.
``It's a great triumph for all of you,'' Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus told an audience of tribal leaders, local officials and Iraqis and Americans who worked on the project.
``This was a joint effort between Iraqi and American engineers, farmers and leaders. It's one more example of the great progress that the Iraqi people and coalition forces continue to make as we work together to rebuild Iraq,'' he said.
The ceremony, held in a tent about 60 miles northwest of the city of Mosul, marked the conclusion of three phases to repair al-Jazeera Pump Station and get it working in full capacity. The station provides water for more than 100,000 people in more than a dozen villages, Petraeus said.
``With this water farmers will now be able to plant crops more than just in the one season, thereby increasing their output'' and benefiting the economy, he said.
Renovating the station, which suffered from neglect and looting, cost $300,000. Recently, greenish water gushed out of the pumps and into a narrow canal to the applause of the guests.
``This is a great economic project that will always liven up the area and make it prosperous,'' Ghanim al-Basso, governor of Nineveh province, said during the ceremony.
The 101st Airborne Division is based in Fort Campbell, Ky., on the Tennessee border about 50 miles northwest of Nashville.
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