Shev Baluka is an extension neighbourhood located in the South-Eastern part of Sheikhan town. It is a new neighbourhood that began to develop as a reaction to the ISIS crisis. Most of its inhabitants are internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Nineveh Governorate who were joined by some host community families from the surrounding villages. The local community is predominantly Muslims of Arab and Kurdish ethnic backgrounds.
Due to its emergency origins, the local authorities lacked resources and time to provide the Shev Baluka neighbourhood with sufficient and qualitative public services as a reaction to conflict-related displacement.
According to the available Planning Department of Sheikhan Municipality masterplan, a total of 270 houses are planned to be built in Shev Baluka neighbourhood. Included in the plan is the provision of public services, e.g., supply of water and electricity. During the preparatory fieldwork, it was found that some families shared a single plot (i.e., two houses were built on one plot). This increase in households requires more services, including the water supply network. If these practices continue, it is expected that a total of around 460 houses will be built in the Shev Baluka neighbourhood over next five years.
A demonstration project area was selected based on Directorate of Water Outskirts Duhok’s (DoWOD) recommendation and prioritisation, considering current and future demand for water in Sheikhan. To initiate the work, MASAR-PCPM contracted a local expert to conduct a technical survey of the existing water supply network system (including its capacity and functionality) to identify gaps and needs. The expert collected available information from various stakeholders and additional surveying data (through drone mapping) of the neighbourhood.
In a workshop, findings and possible solutions and scenarios were presented and discussed with the staff of DoWOD during a dedicated workshop. Based on the workshop discussion, the expert presented a number of recommendations to the Directorate and MASAR-PCPM team.
Provided project support included the following:
training on design and analysis of water supply network with the use of computer software to engineers of DoWOD,
the construction of two water boreholes, including submersible pumps and electrical connection with sterilisation systems,
the construction of two permanent operation/pumps rooms with dimensions of 3*4*3m with concrete blocks and concrete roofs,
the construction and installation of 1400 metre length of HDPE, PN 16 bar water network (500 metres of pipe with a diameter of 200mm, and 900 metres of pipe with a diameter of 110 mm),
the construction of an electrical line to power the pumps, and
awareness campaign on water conservation – leaflets distributed door-to door.
The completed water network works connected the two water boreholes with the existing water network and improved the existing water network inside the Shev Baluka neighbourhood (to control and distribute water more effectively), the provision and installation of two submersible pumps and two sterilisation devices with all accessories for both water boreholes and installation of the main electrical line (24 hours electricity) with all accessories to the two water boreholes.
As a result, the project provides sufficient and quality water to 146 families. Yet, it has the capacity to provide water for a total of 600 families, which will cover the needs of the expanding settlement in Shev Baluka and surrounding neighbourhoods.