WATER PUBLIC POLICY IN NORTH OF ALGERIA: TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
WATER PUBLIC POLICY IN NORTH OF ALGERIA: TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Summary/Abstract: Freshwater is an essential element for sustainable development as well as for life. While water use intensifies and the volumes used by humans are constantly increasing, the issue of managing this vital resource arises forcefully. In fact, policies of water management differ from one country to another given the available resources, demographics, lifestyle and the availability of technology and human resources adapted. The sustainable management of water resources must be based on an integrated approach linking development and protection of the natural environment, the participation of all actors and concerned parties and on the recognition of the economic and social value of water. In this con-text, the question of water resources is posed urgently in Algeria. Thus, water management poses a difficult problem for the authorities considering water demand tends to increase as well as the overex-ploitation. The resources which are available are less than those which are required. The outdated fashion of water conveyance and insufficient storage capacity hinder the correct distribution of water to the consumers. Currently, the challenge faced by hydraulic Algeria is: how best to meet users (AEP, industry, agriculture) with relatively limited water resources. Consequently, the water management is not efficient. Indeed, Algeria is one of the northern countries of the Mediterranean basin which suf-fers from water shortage. The river flows are characterized by important seasonal and inter-year irreg-ularities, especially in flood periods. Indeed, the knowledge of the climatic conditions has an important role in the economical planning: it permits the best management of the uncontrolled flows for short, mean, and long term. It is nearly fifteen years ago that all water stakeholders in Algeria became aware of the necessity to reform the system of general water management. It was indeed soon perceived that despite costly investments in thirty years by the state, the needs remained inadequate, and that, moreover, the quantitative and qualitative protection of resources was not satisfactorily ensured. This paper aims to examine existing water problems in Algeria especially in the Wilaya of Tlemcen and to highlight the public policy of water management through a statistics data. The purpose, however, is to make appropriate recommendations which remain key challenges to enhance water demand satisfaction.

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