Algeria Seeks Dynamic Solutions to Water Shortages
2005-03-17
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."
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مهدي فنيط Posted 2006-11-11
Could you have this article translated into English and send it to me! Thanks
rostom Posted 2006-11-13
Very nice article.
منال Posted 2006-11-28
Great topic. But you can publish a subject on the natural water streams!
Anonymous Posted 2006-12-06
وليدthanks
farouk Posted 2007-01-11
Study of oil and natural gas
djamel Posted 2007-01-27
Hi, is it true that Algeria runs a risk of hydric stress, like Jordan, Israel and Palestine ?
Jacques Moussalli Posted 2007-02-01
I am a fan of a “dynamic management of water”. I’m working on this subject and was present at the WATWED research colloquiums the last one took place in november 2006 in Tripoli (Lebanon) where the algerian delegation was applauded. Thanks and let’s carry on together.
omar Posted 2007-02-11
I am a doctoral student at the University in Tlemcen, working on silting up of dams. I would require some help on this topic. Best regards.
nacim Posted 2007-02-13
I hope Algeria does not face a crisis because of the shortage of water. There are many solutions to bypass the problem such as the construction of bigger dams because Algeria is a large area. We need more work to build Algeria!
اكرم Posted 2007-02-18
I need a comprehensive study about the dams in Algeria.
نصرالله Posted 2007-02-21
Please fix the dam of the Maakar District!
يوسف اعريبة Posted 2007-02-26
I want a solution to the problem of drought!
سارة Posted 2007-03-10
Great views! Thanks!
AHMED NADHEM Posted 2007-03-11
Thanks for the information you provide and I wish to be a good friend of yours!
kaddour Posted 2007-03-26
When will we have lemonade from the tap?
شمس الدين بلهادي Posted 2007-04-03
We want you to exploit water resources in Jamila
حاميد Posted 2007-04-05
Please, a study about the underground resources of Algeria
Akboucien Posted 2007-04-07
Congratulations for Tichi Haf dam in Bejaia, a real architectural marvel!!
محمد Posted 2007-04-08
What is the volume stored up in the dams of the east?
ishak Posted 2007-04-14
It is a good project. Thanks for all the information that you give.
linda Posted 2007-04-18
I would like more information for my report on oil and gas in Algeria. Info in Arabic please, it is very important. Thanks.
PIPO Posted 2007-04-19
We would like to see a research on water resources in Algeria.
yacin Posted 2007-04-24
What's the problem of Algeria? It must be water, you informed people, this problem has to be solved, there's a solution to every problem it's to stop wasting water, it's a gift from God wasted by man who turns it into an indignation. Thanks to all those who contributed to this site, thanks to Salah and Yacine
yacin Posted 2007-04-24
Salam Alaikoum, water is life as we can't live without water "We have created every living creature from water" I thank brother Moulay Amar from Ghardaia
نبيل Posted 2007-04-27
My greetings to you, first of all I'm from Sidi Belabbas, the problem of water is very acute, strict measures have to adopted in coastal provinces, the source of its waters should be from the sea while keeping its link to the dams, and the treatment of wasted waters and use them in agriculture and take necessary measures to avoid thirst in coming years for example bringing water from the sahara and maintaning the canals
seddik Posted 2007-04-29
Salam Alaikoum, Algeria has important water resources
lahreche adel Posted 2007-05-13
I am in my 3rd year at the ENP in Algiers to become a hydraulics technician at ENP and I know that Algeria has many water resources that could satisfy the fundamental needs of drinking-water supply and irrigation. Good water management is what we need: more dams need to be constructed and by 2025 we need to be exploiting the subterranean aquifers we have in the Sahara.
lahreche adel Posted 2007-05-13
This is true, my friend: water is life.
العيد برجة Posted 2007-05-14
I'm El Eid Berja from the wilaya of Tlemcen, thank you Algeria needs a drop of water, that's why it's important to preserve it
rabah Posted 2007-05-25
Hi, I would like some documentation on the construction annexed to the breakers. –Thank you.
كريم Posted 2007-06-01
Libya has stolen water from Algeria for over 40 years and the authorities are sleeping at the borders! Thanks- Karim from Boumerdes
كمال Posted 2007-06-02
Algeria has abundant water resources so why doesn't it exploit them reasonably
عبد الرزاق Posted 2007-06-04
I don't believe that Algeria is threatened by drought, as it has important water resources. The problem is the lack of expertise in extraction and exploitation. The solution, in my opinion, is to extract these waters and put them in dams, like the great river in Libya.
ليديا لجين Posted 2007-07-11
I want more details about available water resources in Algeria, ground water reserves, water resources, the number of dams and their capacity, comparison with Morocco for example in the field of management of water resources and huge dams built there.
safia . Posted 2007-07-28
This is an important problem. I advise you to construct a big company in order to ensure our future water. True, today international aid is indispensable, but I hope that it won’t be so tomorrow. I am a student of hydraulic construction and management. You wouldn’t happen to have a theme to propose to me, would you? Thank you in advance. Water is life. Good luck to everyone in charge and concerned.
algerien Posted 2007-08-19
The problem in Algeria is neither of drought nor of climate as they would like to make you think; it is, rather, sabotage, first and foremost at the level of education. When I look at level of education, I understand the damage and ravages. As one of the indicators, look at their way of communicating, meaning their language. Look, for example, at all the mistakes in messages on this forum. What is worse, people don't even take time to see if they have written well or not, despite all the current means to do so (word: spell check, online dictionaries, etc.) Unfortunately, it seems to me that they don't care about anything and everything our youth does is pathetic!!! There is no more benchmark!
محبوب عبد القادر بدوي Posted 2007-09-17
The problem of water in Algeria is due to many reasons including: lack of maintenance for the existing dams, failure to intensify existing barriers to exploit them in agriculture and drinking, there should be ten thousand water barriers instead of dams which are useless and are a waste of time and money.
de Manzolini Mario Padova Posted 2007-10-15
Hello! I understand that the Algerian Government has published a list of locations where water can be welled. Now we are only missing an international advertisement for enterprises who would be glad to participate. -Bye everyone
mehdi Posted 2007-10-25
Hello, I am a third-year student in hydraulic engineering. I would like to know if there are any job openings when I finish my studies. What are the positions I could work in? Would it be hydraulics or dams? -Thanks in advance for your reply
بلبالي عبد الكريم بن قدور Posted 2007-11-07
I hope that action will be taken by authorities as soon as possible on the issue of drought which threatens life now in the region of Ain Belbal, municipality of Timkiten, circle of Oulef, province of Adrar. Thank you.
mimi Posted 2007-11-14
I would like to have some information on environmental organisations in Algeria and their respective activities, please.
بوعزه Posted 2007-11-23
Why were farmers offered a subvention but banned from digging wells?
amine Posted 2007-11-24
Water is life. "And we made every living thing of water?"
عبد النور Posted 2007-11-27
The Great Libyan river between quotes, it drains the underground waters in the Algerian Sahara. We ask the competent sides to save the groundwater. If the Libyans have a right to it, it should be in the limits of what's under their territories.
Anonymous Posted 2007-11-29
This text is very good and interesting.
dida Posted 2007-12-02
Hi everyone! I am a student of land development. I came across this webpage by accident, but I really think it is interesting both because of the subjects it explores are themselves interesting and because of the manner by which it goes about exploring them is interesting. I hope that you and I can both learn something through these debates. –Thank you
nadia Posted 2007-12-05
The Sahara suffers of drought and lack of water this is due to the weather. But sometimes we're surprised by abundant rains, isn't the dam isn't prepared for such heavy rains?
darrdji Posted 2007-12-07
Don't rock the boat. Go with the flow.
nadir Posted 2008-01-03
Hello Everyone, Thank you for the interest you have on water management. I work on water management in Algeria, and through my doctoral thesis in France I am trying to modestly contribute to the management. That is why I am in contact with the Ministry and Agency of Water. But, as fate would have it, I do not always manage to get the facts to solidify my plan. For this reason, I think that water management in Algeria is most definitely a problem not only lacking resources, but also lacking will. We young researchers have the ambition and we want to help our country as much as possible, but this help is not reciprocated.
MOURAD Posted 2008-01-03
But, other than these projects, what is Algeria doing with all these billions of dollars?
Ahmed Posted 2008-01-04
In response to Safia: You need to go redo your studies starting in elementary school. You are mixing things up. Have you seen your French!?
سفيان فارح Posted 2008-01-09
A nice greeting. In our country Algeria, we suffer of a lack of trees even if huge lands extend from the city of Tebessa to the city of Khenchela, in the form of a desert, in spite of the fretility and carelessness about planting trees, non understanding its importance and lack of awareness, we suffer of a backwardness and this is one of the causes of drought. The tree is a blessing from God for the citizen, then to the region and the country. Municipality of Al Mazraa, Fareh Soufiane.
sara Posted 2008-01-14
Oh, thank you.
yakoob Posted 2008-01-20
Hi everybody, What a great article.
fatima Posted 2008-01-22
Salam alaikoum. I am doing research about water resources and its issues. I’m looking for information about this. So please get in touch with Omar and Nadhir.
fennikabdelkader Posted 2008-01-22
Salam alaikou. I want a resarch about water processing regions in Algeria. Thank you very much.
تاس Posted 2008-01-22
The topic is very good but we hope to get more information.
Anonymous Posted 2008-01-22
Thank you but I want everything about Algeria in one page.
الياس Posted 2008-01-23
Salam alaikoum. I don’t understand what you mean when you talk about a water shortage in Algeria. There’s no policy to rationalize the exploitation of water. As an expert in drilling wells, I notice that wells are bored in regions where there is no water, although water isn’t that far away - only 2 or 3 km. Then they say that there is no underground water… I noticed that in many places. The second problem is that they don’t profit from seasonal rain water by building dams… I have many alternative propositions instead of dams in exploiting rain water.
عمراني عمران بحلي Posted 2008-01-28
Water and its real problem is endured by the residents of the Sahara namely the province of Adrar. We for example live in the circle of Oulf, we suffer from the problem of drought of Fikkarat for many reasons including the rushing of people to the agricultural support which is not reflected in reality, transfer of the benefiting revenues in Helixes and Deltas, the agricultural support was thus transformed into a support of transport. Thanks to God, waters of Al Majin dropped only in Al Bustane, the Fikkara of Ouaknine is now flowing a good water level after its drought thanks to men who are serving the interests of f the country such as its president Haj Kentaoui Abdelkader, Haj Ferfour Mhamed, may God reward them and the president Chonti Imrane.
ليندة Posted 2008-02-02
I see that Algeria = problems all problems...
بوقرين عبد الكربم /المنصور -تمقطن -اولف ادرار Posted 2008-02-18
El Manssour street suffers from the crawling sands over buildings and green areas. Therefore, we ask higher authorities to interfere in order to solve this problem in addition to the problem of disappearance and burying the dust of wells and waters of irrigation channels. Abdelkarim, High School of teachers – Bouzriaa Algeria.
hakima Posted 2008-03-02
Spring water.
عبد الكريم بوقرين-المنصور-اولف ادرار Posted 2008-03-05
The volume of underground waters in the municipality of Timketten, Wilaya of Adrar, drive us all to show it great care. Greatest importance should be attributed to the system of traditional pipes which is wearing out with the departure of parents and grandparents. We should work hard to revive traditional pipes and renew them so that we overcome shortage of water which is running beneath us and we are in constant forgetfulness. We complain of the death of 100 palm tree every year. Enough sleeping young men, let’s raise the slogan of: Long live Timketten with its traditional pipes. And long live the people of Timketten from its orchards.
SALMA Posted 2008-03-10
Hi, If it is possible I would like to have some documents and maps of the Hamiz dam in Algiers as well as any other dams in Algeria sent to me.
mounir Posted 2008-03-20
There are always solutions, Mr. Sellel. Okay, don’t worry. We need the power to repel this invasion, before building up anew. Otherwise, we are shooting in the dark and we will never get out of this abyss. Mr. Sellel, trust in your dear state engineers; they love you. We are cheering them on. Go! Go! Go!
brahim Posted 2008-03-23
Morocco has 20 billion cubic metres of water reserves, and Algeria??? Does anyone one of you have the numbers on this???
foot Posted 2008-03-25
A great topic. But we can talk first about Morocco then Algeria because Morocco is our country.
amar Posted 2008-03-31
The silting up of the dams is a direct consequence of the erosion that already started upstream with the overflowing catchments and the decline in ground cover. In Europe, the level of erosion is within a range of 30 to 50 tons of earth annually per square kilometer (30 – 50 tons/year/km²) while in the countries of the Maghreb it has attained a level of 2000 tons/year/km².
رحموني Posted 2008-04-02
Thank you.
اميرة قمراوي Posted 2008-04-07
Ohhh... It was very interesting to me and I copied it to write a paper at school.... May God bless you.
Meskine Ahmed Posted 2008-04-14
I am a student at the National College of Hydraulics of Blida (l’Ecole Superieure de l’Hydraulique –ENSH) in Blida. In order to avoid water shortages in Algeria, we need, first, to avoid wasting water. The level of waste is nearly 30 per cent. Second, we need to renovate the drinking-water supply networks. The loss of water sometimes reaches 80 per cent of the actual supply due to leakage! Third, workshops need to be organised even at to the university level. Fourth, there should be media news bites on the radio and television to reduce waste. Fifth, there is a need to educate engineers in this domain well, so that they may offer effective solutions for the future. In recent years, Algeria has made up for a lot of things in the field of water thanks to the state’s new policies, but much effort remains to be made in order to reach the same level as developed countries.
jugurtha Posted 2008-04-20
Hi Everybody, I would just like to take part in this little forum with this small phrase: Water is vital—that is for certain—but the lack of rationalising its exploitation has disrupted all the good that has been done, leaving us with a real conundrum.
benyoucef Posted 2008-05-25
Hello, I this case we need the professional collaboration of all hydrogeologists, water engineers, hydrologists, climatologists and, roughly speaking, any specialists relevant to the sustainable management of subterranean resources. Studies and models of subterranean and surface water will be obligatory in order to protect and manage water resources.
imane Posted 2008-06-11
Hi, Thank you for this website. It has helped me so much. I am a student in hydraulics. I would like to you help in finding something talking about the subject of water in Algeria as quickly as possible. Thank you
GUEDDOUDJ M'hiddine Posted 2008-06-27
Hello everybody, This is truly a very good article. I am a second-year Master’s student in France and I am working on the impact of water on social equality in Algeria. I am looking for help. Thank you much
عبد الفتاح Posted 2008-07-20
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. I am a hydraulic engineer studying in the fourth year of hydraulics. I have broadly tackled the issue of water in Algeria. I found out solutions with which I can help my brothers. These solutions are the following: 1) offer good training to engineers ; 2) make advertising pages to raise awareness about saving water because I noticed that when people fill in their reservoirs, they put the tap in the sewage, why ? Because there are no meters which calculate consummation for many people. Despite this I call upon authorities to reconsider this issue.
muhammad imran Posted 2008-07-30
is there automation system also be implemented for these water projects?? can anyone let me know.. many thanks,
moh Posted 2008-08-03
Can you let me know how many aquifers there are in Algeria and what their names are?
fairouz Posted 2008-09-10
Hi, I would like you to help me with my topic. It will either be “dam siltation” or “water desalinisation”. —Thank you
samsouma Posted 2009-02-01
thankkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk you
ilham Posted 2009-03-05
I would like to meet someone who is interested in the subject of water.
ريمة Posted 2009-04-03
I thank you for this topic. I have extracted it and passed in the exam.
nadia Posted 2009-04-05
Hello- I would like to know if it is possible to send me documents and news articles on the policies for the billing of drinking water in Algeria, preferable from 1990 until now, on the water management system in Algeria, on the cost statistics for supplying water, and on the state’s subsidy policies. Please, I am looking for help. Contact me. –Thank you so much
sarah Posted 2009-04-22
hello.i would like to say thanks to every one how had gaven us this great information about water in algeria .
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