Algeria Seeks Dynamic Solutions to Water Shortages
17/03/2005
Algeria abounds with natural resources like oil and gas, phosphates and iron ore. However, Algeria is lacking in one very essential resource: water. The chronic water shortages hurt the national economy, especially when agriculture is affected. When the sector is sluggish, Algeria has to resort to more imports.
(Afrol News – 20/12/04; Princeton Packet – 17/12/04; UNEP; North Africa Journal)
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Algeria is one of a number of African nations Johns Hopkins University predicts to have a ratio of water annually available per person at less than 1,000 cubic metres in 2025, a daunting figure when experts consider a country "water-stressed" at below 1,700 cubic metres available per person.
Although government officials are working with international experts to increase water supplies to both rural and urban areas the task remains difficult.
"There are many construction sites that need to be opened in the water supply sector because our natural resources are not sufficient," says Water Resources Minister Abdelmadjid Attar. "We are obliged to appeal to foreign companies as much for material needs as for a desire to master new technologies."
Government officials are in a race against time to maximize the already scant water resources. Around 1.5m dinars are earmarked by the Algerian government to improve hydro-infrastructures. Building new dams, reducing dam silting, used-water treatments, preventing water loss and waste and desalinization projects are some the efforts underway.
To repair the estimated 30 per cent of water pipes in Algeria that leak, the government has earmarked 53 billion dinars. Projects are underway in Algiers and Oran, with an additional 16 of the 40 cities slated for repairs targeted in the next phase.
On the coasts, about 50 desalinization facilities are under construction to supply water. Attar says the process is one of the major alternative technologies being utilized by Algeria because dams are only sufficient to keep shortages at current levels.
 [File] Ghrib Dam, Algeria |
As many as 50 dams and other water-containing structures are also under construction to meet the Ministry of Water's goal of 12 billion cubic metres of water collected annually by Algeria. Currently, only 5 billion cubic metres are collected annually.
Years of drought have depleted ground water supplies and dam reserves. Additionally, Algeria suffers from substandard management of water utilities and other existing networks.
An organization with expertise in managing water purification equipment does not exist, contributing to the shutting down of 42 of 53 such plants in Algeria. National Water Treatment Office General Director Ali Bekkouche said Algeria understands wastewater management, but that international partners would help.
In order to manage all this hydraulic sector construction, two government agencies were created. Goals of the agencies include fostering annual and multi-annual investment programmes and undertaking projects through concessions or any form of partnership.
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A December 2004 meeting in Tipaza of Mediterranean countries under the auspices of the 1971 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands announced that 16 new Algerian areas are officially classified as wetlands of international importance, a designation that protects them from destruction and overuse.
Conservationists are excited about the decision.
"This is exciting news for freshwater conservation in the region," says World Wildlife Federation's Francesca Antonelli, adding that Algeria is a North African leader in wetland conservation.
Involvement in Algerian water management is not just restricted to international corporations and global conservation organizations, individuals are also making a positive impact.
American student Greg Sanz learned from his Algerian hairdresser in 2002 that his village well had dried up and the only water source was a pipeline being illegally siphoned before the water reached the people.
Moved by the story, Sanz spoke with his father, an international oil consultant, about his idea of drilling a new well. His father directed him to Sonatrach, who suggested contacting Energy and Mining Minister Chakib Khelil. Within two years after Sanz contacted Khelil, contractors drilled a new well for the village.
Sanz was greeted as a hero when he recently visited Tazrout but more work needs to be done. Infrastructure is still needed to bring water from the well to the village's main reservoirs. The student will appeal to Algerian officials to finish the project and end the need for villagers to carry water long distances.
Speaking about the future of the water situation in Algeria, National Agency for Dams general director Abdelnaceur Kalli is very positive.
"I am very optimistic about the next ten years because, compared to the past we will be in a very good position."