The first phase of replacing Ifraz-3 water pipe to finish in 75 days
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (GOV.KRD) - Prime Minister Masrour Barzani allocated a budget for Erbil’s Ifraz-3 pipeline and ordered changing its pipe as it has been broken and repaired multiple times, leading to water shortages in the city.
“Ifraz-3 pipeline project provides clean water to 40% of Erbil’s residents. The breaking of the pipe would become an issue for some of the residents of Erbil province, which is why Prime Minister Masrour Barzani allocated about 21 billion Iraqi dinars and decided to change Ifraz-3 pipe. The first phase of work has started and its length is 2,750 meters and is close to Maruda station,” Director of Water and Sewage, Zardasht Sarsam told the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) website.
Sarsam noted that the pipes used previously were fiberglass, which were approved by the World Health Organization but were unable to hold the pressure of the water pumps at the station, being likely to break.
The pipe is made of carbon steel and is of adequate quality, with a diameter of 1,500 millimeters and a thickness of 14 millimeters. The pipes are connected together with five layers of solder.
With the completion of the work, the problem of breakage of the Ifraz-3 pipeline in Erbil will be solved. The new pipe has the capacity to carry 10,000 cubic meters of water per hour and is much stronger than the old pipe.
“Citizens can be assured that this issue will be solved completely. The duration to change the pipe was initially 90 days but it has been decided that the contractor will finish it in 75 days. After it is completed and tested, two days will be needed for the citizens to help us reconnect the pipes,” Sarsam added.
Director Sarsam also noted that work on the second phase of the pipeline will begin in the future starting from Ifraz station because aside from Ifraz-3 pipe, Ifraz-1 and 2 often suffer from breakage. “When working on the second phase, the wells will provide clean water to houses, so working in these sections will not cause any water problems,” he added.