AMARAH — More than twenty thousand Qalat Salah residents now have greater access to clean water thanks to the recent refurbishment of two water facilities here.

The projects were provided in partnership between the Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and the Maysan provincial government.

Costing approximately $300,000 USD, two water compact units were refurbished to increase the quality and availability of water in Qalat Salah. The units had been operating at 50 percent capacity before the renovation.

The Maysan PRT Leader, Gary Mignano, recently inspected the sites with Maysan's Provincial Reconstruction Development Committee chairman.

"It is always a great day to see life improve for residents with better access to clean water," Mignano said.

The PRDC Chairman, Falih At'ymih Ju'iyd Bkhait, expressed his appreciation to the PRT for focusing on such important projects.

"Access to clean water is one of the province's most critical issues," Bkhait said. "Without the PRT's partnership, families - especially the elderly and children - would be suffering even more."

These projects will improve the public health and quality of life of more than 22,000 residents in the area.

The U.S. government has been supporting similar projects to enhance clean water in Ali Al Gharbi, Al Sadir, Al Wahda, Al Rafadeen, Al Muwahad, and Majar Al Kabir. The PRT continues to work closely with provincial, district, and civil society leaders to promote capacity building in Maysan.

The U.S. government has invested more than 360 million USD in the province since 2003, and there are currently 63 million USD in projects underway in Maysan.