Minister launches drinking water projects in four wilayas

Lounès Bouzegza, minister of water resources, will launch and open drinking water projects in Tlemcen, Sétif, Blida and In Guezzam on Monday, 2 November, Algérie 360 reported.

The launches follow celebrations of the 72nd anniversary of the start of the Revolution. According to the report, the projects reflect instructions from the President.

The report gives the stated aim as strengthening the country's water security and keeping public water supply uninterrupted.

In Tlemcen, the minister launches pipe connections downstream of three new desalination plants in Tlemcen, Mostaganem and Chlef. The pipes are meant to supply coastal wilayas and also areas further from the coast.

In the High Plains, the minister launches a transfer from Tabellout dam in Jijel to Dhraa Eddis dam in Sétif wilaya. Among the direct beneficiaries are 15 communes in north-east Sétif.

The transfer aims for a steady flow all year, including in the driest months. The report says the country has 82 dams, which were about 60% full last spring.

In Blida, the minister opens a pipe from the Fouka 2 desalination plant in neighbouring Tipaza wilaya. The eastern communes of Blida will be the first to benefit.

The report says residents should see a more continuous service. It links this to planned cuts in several communes of the Algiers area.

The largest project is in the far south, where work starts in In Guezzam to supply the Tin Zaouatine area. The water comes from the Tanezrouft aquifer, which lies in Bordj Badji Mokhtar wilaya.

The report says about 250km separate the source from its final destination, and the pipe will cross desert.

The report says more than 1,469bn dinars (DZD) is set aside for water works that are listed or under way.

The report also says losses in the pipe networks remain the weak point of the sector, and it refers to an emergency programme for the networks.