Over a year ago, in May 2023, the first third of the wastewater garden was completed with much fanfare and an official opening with Minister Aun of the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources. Though this is just the first stage in the wastewater treatment, just by the water’s changes from dark brown to clear pale yellow since the opening, it is obvious that successful treatment is occurring. Water samples have been sent to a local laboratory so we can document this. The Minister was so impressed that he has called for the construction of eight new constructed wetlands, indicating that our goal of bringing and spreading this ecological approach is starting to grow.
This July, team members Dr. Davide Tochetto and Jassim al-Asadi of Nature Iraq, our local partner, were able to meet with the Minister who has agreed to proceed with the construction of the groundwork for the final two-thirds of the garden. This is a major step for the project, and we are excited to be working together to move forward on construction.
Above: Jassim al-Asadi, Minister Aun, Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources, and Dr. Davide Tocchetto
Before our area was fully fenced by the Ministry, local water buffalo were able to damage our original plantings. In July, Davide and Jassim organized collection and planting of new reeds and other marsh plants in the treatment basin to fix the damages and further improve water treatment. Below is a photo of the team planting new reeds at the garden site to continue the revitalization of the landscape.
Above: The project team planting new reeds at garden site
Above: Sunset in the marshes (photo by Meridel Rubenstein)
Also in July, Mark Nelson delivered a keynote talk at the industry-wide Water Environment Federation (WEF) conference on the circular economy in Dallas as well as to give the keynote address to the world’s largest pump company, Grundfos, in Denmark at their corporate headquarters for their People’s Awards event which was attended by many of their 20,000 employees worldwide. Of course he emphasized Wastewater Gardens and the Eden in Iraq project. We are grateful for this opportunity to showcase the wastewater gardens project at this important meeting.