Bouzegza Calls for Faster Delivery of 2026 Water Projects as Algeria Steps Up Summer Supply Monitoring

Bouzegza Calls for Faster Delivery of 2026 Water Projects as Algeria Steps Up Summer Supply Monitoring

Algeria’s water minister has instructed sector officials to strengthen the continuity and quality of public water services during the peak summer season while accelerating the implementation of 2026 infrastructure projects, tightening oversight of network losses and illegal connections, and expanding the use of treated wastewater and digital water-management technologies.

By Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS, July 9 — Algeria’s Minister of Hydraulics, Lounès Bouzegza, has called for intensified efforts to safeguard the continuity of public water services, accelerate the delivery of projects scheduled for 2026 and strengthen operational oversight as authorities seek to improve water distribution nationwide during the summer peak-demand period.

The directives were issued during a periodic coordination meeting chaired by the minister and attended via videoconference by senior ministry officials, executives of public water agencies and enterprises, and hydraulic directors from Algeria’s provinces, according to a statement from the Ministry of Hydraulics.

The meeting reviewed the current state of drinking water supply across all wilayas, assessed the performance of public water services and examined measures aimed at maintaining uninterrupted distribution and improving service quality.

Focus on service continuity

While welcoming what the ministry described as gradual improvements in public water services, Bouzegza urged officials to maintain a high level of operational mobilisation and managerial vigilance to preserve recent gains and further enhance services provided to citizens.

He instructed sector managers to strengthen daily field monitoring, optimise and diversify available water resources, and ensure uninterrupted service during weekends and public holidays.

The minister also stressed the need to accelerate the completion of infrastructure projects and prioritise the delivery of strategic development programmes scheduled for 2026.

Network management and enforcement

Bouzegza ordered water operators to intensify leak detection campaigns and speed up repair works to reduce network losses.

He also called for stronger action against illegal water connections, instructing authorities to enforce applicable legal measures against offenders while improving coordination among the various institutions responsible for water management.

The minister further directed public utilities to strengthen communication with consumers, including the wider use of SMS notifications to provide advance notice of planned maintenance operations or temporary supply disruptions.

Expanding water resilience

As part of Algeria’s broader water management strategy, Bouzegza advocated increasing the use of treated wastewater and expanding its utilisation rates across the country.

He also called for the wider adoption of tertiary wastewater treatment technologies, alongside remote monitoring and control systems in future water infrastructure projects.

The minister reaffirmed the importance of continuing major interconnection projects linking dams and water transfer systems, describing them as essential to improving the balance of water distribution between regions and enhancing national water security.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Bouzegza instructed sector officials to maintain daily monitoring of water supply indicators and ensure immediate intervention whenever operational disruptions are detected, while continuing to keep the public informed of developments affecting water services.