The Minister of Water Resources, Taha Derbal, has affirmed the government’s commitment to combating illegal water connections. Speaking during a working visit to Oum El Bouaghi province, the Minister emphasized the need to eliminate this practice to ensure fair access to water for all citizens.
During a presentation on the water sector in Oum El Bouaghi, Minister Derbal stated that there is a strong political will, in line with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s directives, to improve public water services. He acknowledged the significant investments made by the state to improve water supply, but lamented that these efforts are undermined by water theft and unauthorized connections, which he deemed unacceptable.
Minister Derbal issued directives to intensify efforts to combat illegal connections, emphasizing that addressing this issue is a moral and legal imperative. He stressed that it is unacceptable to invest in water supply projects without simultaneously tackling water theft, which deprives citizens of their rightful access and wastes public funds.
“It is a moral obligation before it is a legal one,” the Minister stated, “It is unacceptable to implement projects to supply the population with water, without fighting the phenomenon of water theft, in order to preserve public money.”
To further improve public water services, Derbal urged the Director-General of Algerian Water (ADE) to launch a campaign to repair water leaks in Oum El Bouaghi. He called for the deployment of necessary resources and collaboration with neighboring provinces to expedite the process.
During his visit, the Minister inspected the wastewater treatment plant in Ain M’lila, which has a daily treatment capacity of over 16,000 cubic meters. He emphasized the need to utilize treated wastewater for agricultural and industrial purposes as a non-conventional water resource. He also stressed the importance of regular maintenance and security to ensure the facility’s long-term sustainability.
The Minister reiterated the government’s dedication to providing reliable and equitable water services to all citizens.
