Water under siege

Whilst millions of words and thousands of hours broadcasting have brought the conflict in Iraq into the homes of the world, the coverage of water supply difficulties has been a relatively low priority

Whilst millions of words and thousands of hours of broadcasting have brought the conflict in Iraq into the homes of the world, the coverage of water supply difficulties has been a relatively low priority.

Even before the war, Iraq, like so many of its Middle East neighbours, faced serious problems due to the growing population and depletion of natural resources.

The population of 24 million, of which almost half are children under the age of fifteen years, are forced to survive on subsistence water levels.

Whilst the UN oil-for-food programme had provided limited funds to reconstruct the water system, in real terms, the available investment was simply not enough.

As with all conflicts, blame has been attributed to one group after another, but no matter who is really to blame, the basic facts are undeniable.

The Iraqi utility infrastructure needs urgent attention if the follow-on effects of water pollution and shortages most likely in the form of diseases such as Cholera, Hepatitis and Typhoid are to be averted.

The World Health Organisation stated, in May, that some seven cases of Cholera, mainly among very young children, had been reported by doctors working in Basra, in the south of the country.

The WHO have expressed fears that due to difficulties experienced in restoring safe water supplies to the population, a larger epidemic is predicted.

The appointment of Bechtel International to head the USAID supported reconstruction is one of the first positive steps towards the broader reconstruction of the Iraqi infrastructure, but this is only the beginning.

For years to come there will be requirements for equipment and services to rebuild the water and effluent system.

The years of instability between 1991 and 2003 have seen massive under-investment in both plant and processes.

Whilst the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates have provided water for irrigation and consumption most of this is heavily mineralised and frequently brackish to saline.

Iraq depends upon the importation of specialised equipment and chemicals to purify its water.

Innovation in design and production of equipment for the provision of potable water and the safe treatment and disposal of waste water and effluent will be presented at the International Water and Effluent Exhibition IWEX to be staged at the NEC, Birmingham from 11th to 13th November 2003.

As part of the broader focus of IWEX, a concurrent seminar programme, including a presentation by Dr Kristalina Gorgieva, Director of the Environmental Department of the World Bank, will be addressing issues relative to the challenges to the provision of water resources, such as those faced in Iraq.

The 2003 IWEX Innovations Awards programme covers a number of categories relative to the development of new processing and monitoring technology, international market development and environmental issues, where organisations, irrespective as to whether they are exhibiting at the event, or not.

Speaking for the IWEX Organisers, Turret RAI, Rob Lozowski, the Event Director spoke of the need for events to reflect the situations and circumstances that pertain in the "real world".

"Whilst we have no wish to be seen to be capitalising on situations such as the Iraq conflict and equally serious global challenges, the fact that we are bringing together so many experts in the fields of water and waste water management and technology at a time when the need for their expertise is critical, is indicative of the importance of events, including our own".

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