Nearly 60,000 southern Iraq residents will have access to twice their normal amount of water thanks to a new U.S. funded reservoir that opened here Feb. 18.

The new tank will save residents money by reducing the amount of bottled water they need to purchase for home use other than drinking.

“As long as we are elected by the people, we will continue to work for the people,” said Basrah Provincial Councilman Khalof Alsharaa. “We appreciate this project and look forward to more in the future.”

In addition to Asharaa, the dedication was attended by Safwan Mayor Sabah Mohammad, members of Safwan’s town council, Iraqi Police and Coalition project managers.

Previously, the city and its outlying areas relied on two old water towers and well water to meet its residential and farming needs. One of the towers was destroyed in the war and the second will remain operational, supplementing the new tank.

The new facility cost $242,000 and will bring 900 cubic meters of “wash water” into the system, which will be loaded into trucks and delivered to people’s homes.

The water will be good for bathing, cooking, and drinking if treated, but is not potable by western standards. The plumbing systems in Safwan are substandard with leaks and rust, which can contaminate the water.

Outlying areas of the city will continue to use well water for farming and residential use.

The new tank is designed to last for about 25 years.

MNF-I