CLIMATE CHANGE A THREAT TO ALGERIA'S WATER SECURITY

B. REMINI

Abstract


From the dam to the desalination plant, the climate has shifted from freshwater to seawater. Exceeding 1,35 billion of m3/y of drinking water produced by 18 desalination plants, Algeria has made significant progress in increasing its national freshwater reserves. However, the volume regulated by the 83 dams has decreased due to longer summers and flash floods that carry tons of silt to the dams. Siltation and evaporation, two characteristics of today's climate, are disrupting the dams' role in ensuring water security. The national freshwater reserve stands at 13 billion of m3/y a figure that remains insufficient to achieve adequate water security. Projecting for 2060, an additional 2 billion of m3/y must be added to the initial value for 35 years. To achieve this goal, Algeria must utilize its four water sources. Of the rainwater, only 7% of annual precipitation is used. 85% of the water returns to the sky as vapor. Storing rainwater underground is the only way to recover several billion cubic meters of water from the evaporated volume. The construction of hydraulic structures across the national hydrographic network, such as infiltration basins, sand dams, underground dams, recharge dams, and covered dams, must be expanded to create an innovative watershed management system that adapts to climate change. For effective water management, a new division of the national territory into eight hydrographic basins is essential.


Keywords


Water security, Watershed, Climate change, Sand dam, Underground dam, Water.

Full Text:

PDF

References


AFRICAN WATER FACILITY (2016). Development of the vision and strategy of the Water Sector to 2050 for Tunisia, African Development Bank Group, Evaluation Report, June, 18p.

AMGHAR A., HSSOUNE A. (2025). Towards a new era of water management in Morocco: Theoretical analysis and perspectives of non-conventional water resources, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING FINANCE MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS, VOL. 6, NO 4, PP.577-597.

DEMMAK A. (1982). Contribution to the study of erosion and solid transport in northern Algeria, Doctoral Thesis in Engineering, Pierre and Marie Curie University, Paris XI, France.

GUERRIERI V., AMADORI S., HERRERO L.G., DECLERCQ R., VITTUARI M. (2025). Future scenarios for sustainable water management in Mediterranean agricultural system: a life cycle case study on water reuse in Northern Italy, Journal of Cleaner Production,Vol. 530.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.146827

GONÇALVES J., PETERSEN J., DESCHAMPS P., HAMELIN B., BABA-SY O. (2013). Quantifying the modern recharge of the “fossil” Sahara aquifers, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 40, pp. 2673-2678.

doi :10.1002/grl.50478,2013.

HAMAD SA. (2012). Opportunities and Challenges for Groundwater Artificial Recharge by Surface Water Harvesting in Libya. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International, Vol. 3, No 6, pp. 260-268.

KARLSTROMA L., KLEMAB N., GRANTC G.E., FINNE C., SULLIVAND. P.L. (2025). State shifts in the deep Critical Zone drive landscape evolutionin volcanic terrains, Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Vol. 102, No 3, pp. 1-9.

MARTIN-MORENO J.M., GARCIA LOPEZ E., GUERRERO FERNANDEZ M., ALFONSO SANCHEZ J.L., BARACH P. (2025). Devastating “DANA” Floods in Valencia: Insights on Resilience, Challenges, and Strategies Addressing Future Disasters, Public Health Review, Vol. 46.

doi: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1608297

MAUGUIT Q. (2012). Vast water reserves discovered in Africa (Namibia), Futura, https://www.futura-sciences.com/planete/. Published on August 20, 2012.

MESKINE A., CHERIF E., ZEROUALI B., OUADJA A., AUGUSTO C., SANTOS G., BAILEK N., BOUZNAD I.E., BABA A. (2025). Decision-support approaches for sustainable water resource management in northwest Algeria, Journal of Ecological Engineering, Vol. 26, No 7, pp. 24-43.

MESSAOUDI F. (2023). Water situation in Algeria. Energy Magazine, https://www.energymagazinedz.com/

OBSERVATORY OF THE SAHARA AND SAHEL (2017). The Mobilisation of Groundwater from the Iullemeden - Taoudéni/Tanezrouft Aquifère System: A Solution Element, February Report, 11 p.

PUPIER T (2013). Strategic groundwater reserves discovered in northern Kenya, Media Terre.

https://www.mediaterre.org/commerce/genpdf,20130913105358,11.html

REMINI B. (2017a). The Tadmait foggara: without energy from basement water to soil surface. Larhyss Journal, No 32, pp. 301-325.

REMINI B. (2017b). A new approach to managing dam siltation, Larhyss Journal, No 31, pp. 51-81

REMINI B. (2019). Algeria: the climate is changing, the water is becoming scarce, what to do? Larhyss Journal, No 41, pp. 181-221

REMINI B. (2020). From the foggara to the underground dam, the alluvial tablecloth, a solution for arid regions, Larhyss Journal, No 41, pp. 297-308.

REMINI B. (2021). Ahbas N’bouchen: when the artificial recharge of water table becomes a priority in the Mzab valley. Larhyss Journal, N°45, pp. 183-201.

REMINI B. (2023). Flash floods in Algeria, Larhyss Journal, N° 56, pp. 267-307.

REMINI B., AMITOUCHE M. (2023). Desalination plants search good quality water, Larhyss Journal, No 55, pp. 243-267.

REMINI B. (2024a). Can we ensure water security in the era of climate change? Larhyss Journal, No 60, pp. 297-308.

REMINI B. (2024b). The Algerian foggara, Part 1: originality of a hydraulic system, Larhyss journal, No 58, pp. 105-145.

REMINI B. (2025a). The sources dams in Algeria a forgotten heritage, Larhyss Journal, No 62, pp. 263-297.

REMINI B. (2025b). Water capture techniques adapted to climate change, Larhyss Journal, No 63, pp. 233-283.

REMINI B. (2025c). Algeria’s groundwater an untapped strategic resource for water security, Larhyss Journal, No 61, pp. 401-431.

RENE A. (1985). Water in Algeria. University Press, 388 p.

UNICEF (MAURITANIA) (2024). Mauritania: The Thirst for a Better Life. https://www.unicef.org/mauritania/recits/mauritanie-la-soif-dune-vie-meilleure, August 8.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.