Algeria Advances Major Seawater Desalination Network to Strengthen Long-Term Water Security
BY Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers — Algeria is accelerating the expansion of its national seawater desalination programme, advancing the connection of existing plants while preparing new large-scale facilities as part of a broader strategy to strengthen long-term water security and ensure sustainable drinking water supplies.
The progress was reviewed during a meeting chaired by Hydraulics Minister Lounès Bouzegza, who assessed the implementation of long-distance water transfer projects linking the desalination plants of Fouka 2 (Tipasa), Koudiet Draouche (El Tarf), Béjaïa and Cap Djinet (Boumerdès), according to a statement issued by the ministry.
The meeting, attended by senior ministry officials as well as representatives of the Algerian Water Company (ADE) and the Algerian Desalination Company (ADC), examined construction progress, completion rates, technical challenges and implementation deadlines.
According to the ministry, connection works for the Fouka 2 desalination plant have been completed, with commissioning operations now underway alongside the gradual supply of drinking water to municipalities in eastern Blida Province.
At the Koudiet Draouche plant, pipeline cleaning and disinfection operations are continuing ahead of the facility’s phased commissioning once the remaining technical works are completed.
Meanwhile, authorities have launched the tender process for the pipeline linking the Koudiet Acerdoune water system to the Cap Djinet desalination plant. Once completed, the project is expected to reinforce potable water supplies to the provinces of Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, M’Sila and Médéa.
The meeting also reviewed engineering studies for long-distance connection networks associated with three new desalination plants planned in Chlef, Mostaganem and Tlemcen. The transfer systems will extend up to 250 kilometres, enabling desalinated seawater to reach inland provinces.
Under the planned distribution network, the Tlemcen plant will supply Tlemcen, Sidi Bel Abbès, Saïda and Naâma, while the Mostaganem facility will serve Mostaganem, Relizane, Tiaret and Tissemsilt. The Chlef plant will provide water to Chlef, Aïn Defla, Médéa and eastern parts of Tissemsilt.
Each of the three new facilities is designed to produce 300,000 cubic metres of desalinated water per day, significantly expanding Algeria’s water production capacity and strengthening the resilience of its national drinking water network.
Bouzegza instructed project managers to comply with contractual deadlines, accelerate construction where delays have occurred and initiate legal procedures against contractors failing to meet their obligations. He also called for closer coordination among all stakeholders and daily monitoring of project implementation.
The minister said seawater desalination and long-distance transfer networks constitute a central pillar of Algeria’s national water strategy, noting that the government intends to continue expanding the programme through the construction of additional desalination plants in several provinces as part of its long-term efforts to enhance water security and address the challenges posed by recurring drought and growing water demand.
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