International Making it possible

In 2009, Arkel International won an award from the Department of State to perform upgrades to the existing infrastructure and distribution systems at Camp Condor in Baghdad, Iraq.

The project consists of both remedial and expansion construction work necessary to connect the BESF camp to existing NEC Medium Voltage Power Plant and to balance camp load distribution on two of the NEC MV feeders, including removing one of two camp generators in each of the five zones and replacing them with a pad mounted transformer which connects to the site electrical distribution system. Additional requirements include increase drinking water supply, treatment, distribution, existing well upgrades, storage facilities, and storm sewer improvements; and improvements to the existing wastewater facilities and outfall; and CHU remediation work to mitigate an existing formaldehyde issue.

This project was performed as an urgent need to the DoS in order to meet an aggressive timeframe for additional troop capacity needed at the Baghdad Embassy Support Facilities Mancamp.

A list of the upgrades includes the following:

• Electrical System upgrades were to provide design-build services to furnish and install a 1.5 kilometer overhead 11kv distribution system to five zones. Installation at each zone included a substation, backup generator, ground ring, transfer switch and main distribution panel. Also a NFPA 70E Study was performed on the entire New Embassy Compound electrical system to include the installation of a ground fault indication system.
• Water System upgrades included furnishing and installing a new water well capable of supplying 150,000 gallons per day, a sediment tank, a 60,000 gallon raw water storage tank, a packaged water treatment plant, a 60,000 gallon potable water tank and a distribution pump skid with over a kilometer of distribution. We provided design-build services to install these upgrades to integrate with the existing system on site while remaining operational.
• Sewage system upgrades included design-build services to upgrade 2 existing lift stations and to furnish and install one new lift station and 500 meters of underground sewage piping with 5 manholes to tie together two existing sewage systems.
• Storm water upgrades included the installation of one underground soakway.
• To furnish and install all the materials and equipment necessary to replace the interior wood paneled walls with drywall in two hundred fifty four (254) living trailers. Remediation included sealing interior studs to mitigate formaldehyde emissions, priming and painting the walls to the desired finish, and the removal and replacement of all electrical and plumbing fixtures.