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In Algeria, INECO will discuss on the issue of water
pollution, experienced in the Seybousse River Basin.
The Seybousse River Basin, with a total area of 6,471 km2,
is located in the northern part of Algeria. The Seybousse River
(240 km length)
constitutes an important water source, mainly used for the
irrigation of large agricultural areas, which extend from
the Guelma region up to Annaba city.
The basin extends over 68 municipalities, located in seven
wilayas (administrative divisions), and faces important
domestic and industrial pollution, mostly originating from
city industries situated along the two
river banks: the annual industrial discharge is
approximately equal to 4.5 million m3; of this
amount, 3 million m3 corresponds to used oils
from various sources. River pollution is also partly due to the
lack of sewage treatment plants, as in several cases domestic wastewater
is discharged directly into the Seybousse river without
prior treatment. |
The most vulnerable areas are those where industrial
activities are concentrated, i.e. Meboudja,
Bouchegouf and Guelma. In these regions, aquifer pollution
is also an issue, as run-off originating from the Edough and
Gelaat Bou Sbaa mountains, carrying high loads of
contaminants, infiltrates groundwater bodies. This in turn
poses serious threats on human health, both direct (children
often play on the river banks) and indirect (many farmers
abstract water directly from the river for irrigation
purposes, and soil productivity is also affected).
Furthermore, the river ecosystem is also at risk, as flora
and fauna are seriously threatened.
Algeria section of the INECO website |
