In the village of al-Milaj, an old 24-inch pipeline was completely replaced because it was leaking large quantities of water and could no longer meet the needs of local farmers.
The new pipeline is 408 metres long and has a diameter of 24 inches. It carries water from the pumping stations and makes it possible to irrigate farmland located approximately three kilometres away.
Ali al-Hassoun, the project manager, describes the work:
"There were two possible approaches.
The first was to construct an open earthen irrigation canal, which would have occupied an eight-metre-wide strip of agricultural land. This would have meant losing approximately three and a half dunams of farmland along the route.
The second option was to install a pipeline, which would require only half a dunam of land.
Installing the pipeline was extremely difficult and required considerable expertise because the work had to be carried out on agricultural land.
Today, this pipeline is the backbone of irrigation in al-Milaj. Since its installation, the irrigated area has increased by 80 per cent compared with the period before the project."
Work began on 15 August 2019 and was completed on 12 September 2019.
During construction, we decided to improve the quality and durability of the pipeline by adding reinforcing flange rings.
These circular reinforcements have the same diameter as the pipe and are designed to strengthen it and prevent deformation.
The decision was prompted by the way local residents use the pipeline during winter.
People often walk along the 24-inch pipe to avoid muddy agricultural roads.
Over time, the pressure caused by people walking on the pipe can change its circular cross-section into an oval shape.
Since preventing residents from using the pipeline in this way would be difficult, we chose to reinforce it with additional flange rings to help preserve its original shape.
