CAN WE ENSURE WATER SECURITY IN THE ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

Abstract

This article provides some clarifications to the question posed in the article title. It is tough to ensure Algeria's water security in a climate that is relentless on water resources. The first victims of this climate are none other than surface water and consequently the drying up of dam lakes. It is necessary to note the abusive use of billions of m³ per year of water, that the subsoil provides, by the different economic sectors. The drinking water supply of 45 million inhabitants, the irrigation of thousands of agricultural hectares, the exploitation of mega mining deposits, and an evolving industry need billions of m³ per year. Threatened by exhaustion, the natural reservoirs of the subsoil of northern Algeria are under pressure and the use of artificial water (desalination water from seawater) becomes essential. This is a solution, but it is insufficient. In such a situation, the obligatory use of deep water from the Sahara can alleviate the thirst of today's Algeria, which needs more than 20 billion m³ of water each year.