The Algerian town of Aghbalou is bracing for another summer of water shortages, despite a project to transfer water from the Source noire that has been in the works for over a decade. The project, which has cost over 10 billion centimes, has yet to be completed, leaving residents to endure lengthy periods without access to clean water. The town's residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the delays.
The project involves the transfer of water from the Source noire to the commune of Aghbalou, which would provide clean water to seven villages. The first stage of the project, which included the installation of a 10km water transport pipeline, was completed in 2006 as part of a sectoral program. However, the pipeline has never been put into service and has been abandoned. It took 10 years for the second stage of the project to begin, which included the construction of a water pumping station.
In July 2018, the project was supposed to be completed, with the water transfer system set to be launched. However, this did not happen, despite a visit by the Wali Mustapha Limani to the commune on July 3, 2018. During the visit, the hydraulic services presented indicators of their sector in the commune, with promises to improve water supply. However, a year later, the situation has not improved, with water still being rationed and residents experiencing lengthy shortages.
The water supply system in Aghbalou is in dire need of repair, with the existing pipeline being over a decade old and presenting numerous defects. According to sources, the pipeline requires inspection and rehabilitation before it can be put into service. The lack of equipment, including ventouses and vannes, along the pipeline's 10km length, has rendered it unusable. The President of the Aghbalou APC has acknowledged the defects in the pipeline and the need for repairs.
The President of the Aghbalou APC has also expressed concerns about the lack of means to carry out the necessary repairs, citing a shortage of financial and human resources. The commune has been allocated a program of 50 million dinars to rehabilitate the water supply system, but the project is moving slowly. The APC has been forced to award the contract to the ADE, which will only replace the hydro-electric equipment, rather than carrying out a comprehensive rehabilitation of the system.
The situation in Aghbalou is becoming increasingly dire, with residents facing a severe water shortage. The commune's water supply system is in need of a comprehensive overhaul, including the replacement of the existing asbestos pipeline, which is prone to recurrent breakdowns. However, the APC lacks the technical expertise and financial resources to carry out the necessary work.
Unless urgent action is taken, the residents of Aghbalou will face a severe water crisis this summer. The ongoing delays in completing the water transfer project have left the town's residents frustrated and concerned about their access to clean water. The Algerian authorities will need to take swift action to address the situation and ensure that the town's residents have access to this essential resource.
Key points
- The project to transfer water from the Source noire to Aghbalou has been delayed for over a decade due to technical issues and a lack of resources.
