Sonatrach has launched the construction of a new seawater desalination plant in El Marsa, in the wilaya of Chlef, presented as a key project to strengthen access to drinking water in Algérie. With a planned capacity of 300,000 m³ per day, the facility is expected to supply several inland wilayas, some located more than 200 km from the coast.
The project comes in a context of recurring water shortages and growing water stress, particularly in inland regions. Desalination therefore appears as an emergency solution aimed at addressing immediate needs, rather than the result of long-term planning.
While a first phase of 150,000 m³ per day is expected to be delivered within 22 months, the project highlights a continued reliance on large-scale, energy-intensive infrastructure, while structural issues such as network losses and demand management remain insufficiently addressed.
Overall, this initiative illustrates the ongoing challenges Algeria faces in ensuring long-term water security and underscores the need for more integrated and anticipatory approaches to water governance.
