BAGHDAD — The tanks were full of enough clean drinking water for about 200,000 Iraqis at a new distribution station in eastern Baghdad, but local officials struggled Saturday to agree on where it should go.
The dilemma was an example of the obstacles facing the Iraqis and their American backers as they try to rebuild the country. Iraq’s government is flush with oil money, but officials often lack the know-how and experience to dole out cash efficiently.
U.S. soldiers and Iraqi officials began working on the water distribution site in the former Shiite militia stronghold of New Baghdad in April — part of a broader strategy to provide relief in hopes of boosting confidence in the Iraqi government and preventing militants from regaining support.
Water can either be collected by people filling bottles and other containers from three public taps or from tanker trucks that will deliver it to collection points in the neighborhood.
American officials acknowledge it’s a short-term solution. It would be better if people could get clean water through their faucets at home.
But the Americans say the distribution system will at least provide Iraqis breathing room to improve infrastructure that has been devastated after more than five years of violence.
Officials need “to rapidly and responsibly meet the needs of the Iraqi people” but also to “sustain, to plan, to budget, execute and provide those services,” said Brig. Gen. Robin Swan, a deputy commander for the 4th Infantry Division in Baghdad.
Iraqis have been able to use the taps at the facility, with a storage capacity of about 52,800 gallons, but a local council hasn’t decided how many trucks can be used or where they should deliver water.
“The challenge has been to come up with a distribution plan,” said Maj. Gary Giles, a civil affairs officer with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, which is spearheading the project. “Here we’re having some fits and starts.”
But Giles, 50, was optimistic the issue would be resolved so the trucks can start delivering water by the end of the week.
Mudhafer Ali, the official in charge of the Baghdad water pipes network, said the water would be distributed by trucks carrying 4,000 gallons each and there was a plan to eventually expand the project to provide irrigation water.
Filthy drinking water that is often contaminated by sewage that overflows into the Tigris River has raised fears of cholera and other diseases. Baghdad’s network of aging pipes also suffers damage because impoverished and displaced Iraqis frequently tap into it illegally.
