Batna, January 18, 2026 – Minister of Water Resources, Taha Derbal, has emphasized the critical need to incorporate advanced technologies, particularly tertiary water treatment, into all projects related to the construction of wastewater treatment plants across the nation.
During a briefing in the commune of Chemora, alongside the Chief Executive Officer of Batna Province, Riad Ben Ahmed, Minister Derbal explained that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the value and reuse of treated wastewater. He stated that tertiary treatment technology allows for the expansion of agricultural irrigation using this type of water, extending its use to all crops, including vegetables, instead of being limited to grains and fruit trees.
The Minister affirmed the necessity of valuing and reusing treated wastewater, highlighting the existence of a legal framework published in the Official Gazette that regulates its utilization. He further added that instructions would be sent to all provincial directors of the sector nationwide, mandating the inclusion of modern technologies, including tertiary treatment, in projects related to the construction of purification stations.
Following the briefing, Minister Derbal inspected the wastewater treatment plant expansion project at the Koudiet Eddour dam in the municipality of Timgad. He stressed the importance of rigorous monitoring of treatment plants, whether for expansion or rehabilitation projects, and emphasized adherence to quality standards in execution and compliance with established technical norms. The goal, he noted, is to maximize water resources to bolster the distribution of this vital resource to the population.
In the city of Batna, the Minister also reviewed the progress of the construction of a second wastewater treatment plant, a project currently 56 percent complete and expected to be delivered before the end of this year, 2026.
