Water Security Bolstered in Tlemcen Against Cross-Border Pollution
Algerian authorities have deployed significant resources to combat cross-border pollution in Oued Mouilah, enhancing water and environmental security through advanced monitoring and filtration technologies. This proactive effort includes building a second purification plant to manage rising pollution levels and…
Algerian authorities have mobilized substantial resources to address cross-border pollution originating from Morocco via Oued Mouilah in Tlemcen. This concerted effort aims to safeguard the nation's water and environmental security, employing highly advanced technological mechanisms for monitoring, analysis, and filtration. This initiative was highlighted by participants at an international conference on cross-border water protection and environmental pollution prevention.
The Algerian state has undertaken significant measures to counter the continuous flow of polluted water from Morocco, which has persisted for years. These efforts include the consistent operation of specialized committees that regularly collect and analyze water samples to ensure quality, providing safe drinking water to residents in the country's western region. Lotfi Ben Adda, head of the Irrigation Department at "Abou Bakr Belkaid" University in Tlemcen, confirmed that studies from specialized university teams and laboratories identified multi-type pollutants at elevated concentrations in Oued Mouilah, originating from industrial units in Morocco's Oujda region that discharge waste into Oued Isly before it reaches Oued Mouilah.
The pollution directly impacts the Hamman Boughrara Dam's water basin, which holds approximately 177 million cubic meters. To mitigate this, the dam is equipped with a sophisticated filtration plant designed to purify organic and chemical materials. Furthermore, authorities are actively constructing a second filtration station to manage increasing pollution levels, including organic contaminants, demonstrating a proactive approach to evolving environmental challenges. Researcher Hilal Abdelkader from the University Center in Maghnia, Tlemcen, emphasized Algeria's comprehensive efforts to protect water resources, underscoring the importance of combined field initiatives, modern scientific techniques, and enhanced cooperation for sustainable water resource management.
These diligent efforts by the Algerian authorities have garnered positive recognition from the local community. Abdelhamid Bouhssoun, a farmer from the Tlemcen border region, specifically praised the support provided to local residents and farmers, and the broader commitment to protecting water resources in the area. This collective action ensures the continued preservation of vital natural assets for the benefit of the Algerian people and environment.
