Algiers, Algeria – Households across Algeria experienced uninterrupted water supply throughout Eid al-Adha this year, a marked improvement from previous years when water shortages often marred religious holidays. This stability, widely observed across most regions, reflects the tangible success of the nation's strategic investments in water infrastructure and management.
Algeria water security
Traditionally, the Eid period sees a significant surge in water consumption due to household needs and post-sacrifice cleaning rituals. However, this year, many Algerian families noted a welcome change: no need for pre-filling containers or constant monitoring of water pressure. The consistent flow enabled smooth completion of all festive tasks, underscoring a significant shift in the country's water security landscape.
This positive development is not solely attributed to recent rains, which have indeed helped replenish dam levels, particularly in the East (around 58% full) and West (over 40%), though central region dams remain at approximately 20%. A pivotal factor has been the commissioning of new seawater desalination plants in key coastal wilayas such as Oran, Tipasa, Boumerdès, Bejaïa, and El Tarf. These facilities have substantially augmented potable water volumes, reducing reliance on rain-dependent dam reserves often vulnerable to drought.
The Algerian government's ambitious desalination program has already elevated the contribution of desalinated water from 20% to 42% of national consumption. Furthermore, several additional desalination plants are currently under construction in wilayas including Tlemcen, Mostaganem, Tizi Ouzou, Chlef, Jijel, and Skikda. Currently, 16 wilayas are supplied by 19 stations and numerous modular units.
Experts anticipate that by 2030, the proportion of water supplied by desalination plants will reach 60%, with an estimated annual production of 2 billion cubic meters. This expansion aims to extend coverage to 35 wilayas, signifying a transformative shift in Algeria's national water model. This evolution is particularly crucial as climate change renders water resource management increasingly strategic.
The comprehensive national water strategy extends beyond infrastructure to include the mobilization of resources, water conservation efforts, erosion control, and flood prevention. Furthermore, the expert highlights the potential of cogeneration, combining energy production with desalination in coastal zones, which could enable the redirection of dam water to inland areas and the High Plateaus, bolstering agricultural development. The reuse of treated wastewater is projected to save approximately 0.9 billion cubic meters of water, while modern irrigation techniques like drip irrigation offer savings of 10% to 20%. Ultimately, a holistic approach encompassing public information, education, and the protection of soils, forests, and watersheds is deemed essential for ensuring long-term hydric security.
Related topics: Algeria water supply, desalination plants Algeria, water management Algeria, Eid al-Adha water, Algerian infrastructure, water security
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