Draâ El Dis Water Project Secures Supply for 750,000 Residents
A significant project to transfer water from the Draâ El Dis dam is underway to provide drinking water to 750,000 inhabitants across 15 communes in Sétif, bolstering regional water security.
A new project for transferring water from the Draâ El Dis dam is set to reinforce the drinking water supply for more than 750,000 inhabitants across 15 communes in the Sétif wilaya. This initiative is designed to sustainably improve potable water access, with infrastructure dimensioned to meet the region's needs until 2040, providing a daily flow of 136,000 cubic meters. Lounès Bouzegza, the Minister of Hydraulics, inspected the various components of this structural investment during a work visit focused on monitoring its progress.
The project’s comprehensive design incorporates systems for water capture, treatment, storage, and distribution. Key components include a transport network exceeding 139 kilometers of pipelines to convey water to various localities and interconnect major distribution points within the wilaya. Additionally, the infrastructure features 14 water reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 87,000 cubic meters, supplemented by a 20,000 cubic meter security storage basin, and multiple high-pressure pumping stations. At its core, the large Draâ El Dis treatment station is equipped to process 136,000 cubic meters of water daily, ensuring compliance with current sanitary standards for potability.
Operationally, the project is structured into four distinct lots to ensure equitable resource distribution across concerned communes, spanning urban and economic centers to mountainous zones. These lots are designed to serve areas such as El Eulma, Qaltat Zarga, Bazer Sakhra, El Ourthilane, Ouabed Skora, Djemila, Tadjenanet, Aïn El Kebira, Ouled Adouane, Aïn El Sbt, Beni Aziz, Maouia, Guenzet, and Babor. The Algérienne des Eaux (ADE) will manage the system's operation, which integrates digital tools including telemanagement and remote monitoring. This technology will enable real-time tracking, control of pressure and flow rates, and rapid detection of leaks or anomalies, thereby enhancing management efficiency and reducing water loss.
Beyond its primary objective of securing potable water supply, the Draâ El Dis project is expected to generate employment opportunities during its construction phase and stimulate local economic activities. It represents a lasting solution to household needs and a significant lever for strengthening the wilaya’s hydraulic infrastructure, with a clear objective to improve citizen water supply conditions through to 2040.
