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Mounira

sectors, consequently improving the living standards of In 2016, Algeria reused 14.6 × 10 m of treated
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citizens and creating new employment opportunities. wastewater to irrigate over 11,000 hectares, particularly
However, the lack of strict quality control and in regions such as El Oued, Ouargla, Guelma,
proper monitoring can result in adverse consequences, and Tlemcen. By 2019, this volume had reached
including the spread of waterborne diseases and 1.32 × 10 m for 11,045 hectares. 36,37 Successful
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ecosystem degradation. Therefore, strict adherence to agricultural reuse depends on rigorous treatment
reuse standards is essential. 25 and compliance with national standards. Algeria has
Advanced wastewater treatment plays a crucial introduced legislation to ensure public health protection
role in protecting public health from pathogenic and groundwater safety. 38
microorganisms, safeguarding aquatic biodiversity, Despite the growing literature on wastewater reuse,
preserving surface and groundwater resources, and most studies are descriptive, small-scale, or urban-
creating a reliable, economically viable water source centric. There is a lack of robust data on the operational
that contributes to community resilience. performance of full-scale WWTPs in semi-arid inland
As global water quality and availability deteriorate, regions where water scarcity is most acute. Existing
countries must diversify their water sources. A review studies often suffer from inconsistent sampling and lack
of wastewater reuse practices in Morocco, Algeria, of seasonal analysis, as well as limited data on emerging
and France highlights promising outcomes. In France, contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, microplastics),
the Limagne Noire project irrigates 700 hectares using which pose unregulated health risks.
treated water from the Clermont-Ferrand WWTP. The This study adopts a rigorous and original approach.
initiative demonstrates technical reliability, sound Methodologically, it implements a 1-year sampling
institutional coordination, and economic viability – campaign with four samples per month. Statistically,
maintaining 60 agricultural jobs and generating €1.66/m³ it uses paired-sample t-tests and 95% confidence
in added value. 26,27 In Algeria, the Boumerdès region intervals (CIs) to assess significant changes between
produces over 400,000 m³ of treated wastewater annually, influent and effluent. Technically, it evaluates a full-
with a small portion reused for agriculture. Since 2002, scale activated sludge WWTP under real semi-arid
two farmers in Corso have irrigated 71 hectares with conditions. Politically, it highlights regulatory gaps and
treated wastewater, yielding crops of comparable quality contributes evidence-based recommendations for water
to those irrigated with potable water. The initiative is reuse policy. By integrating these dimensions, the study
positively assessed by both agricultural and public health provides a transferable contribution to sustainable water
authorities. 28,29 In Morocco, a study in Drrarga evaluated management in Global South contexts facing climate
the use of treated wastewater for tomato irrigation. stress and structural constraints.
While yields doubled and fertilizer use decreased, soil
nutrient depletion and potential nitrate contamination 2. Methods
of groundwater were noted, emphasizing the need for
complementary fertilization and monitoring. 18 2.1. Geographical location and population of
According to the National Economic and Social Maghnia
Council (NESC, 2000), Algeria faces structural Maghnia is situated approximately 40 km west of the
water scarcity, with per capita resources below Tlemcen Province in northwestern Algeria. It is bordered
1,000 m /year. 30,31 The most common form of reuse is to the east by Remchi, to the north by Fellaoucene,
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agricultural irrigation, with treated wastewater reuse to the west by the Moroccan border, and to the south
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increasing from 17 × 10 m in 2011 to 200 × 10 m by Béni Bousaid. The municipality covers a total area
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in 2014. However, resource limitations and rising of 294 km². The geographical location of the Maghnia
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demand continue to intensify water stress. In response, district is illustrated in Figure 1. The population of
Algeria has promoted wastewater recycling, rural Maghnia grew from approximately 87,400 in 2008 to
hydraulic projects, and improved irrigation efficiency. 150,000 in 2021.
Desalination is being adopted in urban centers such
as Algiers, Oran, and Arzew, though its cost remains 2.2. Climate conditions in Maghnia
high. Algeria’s total renewable water potential is Climatic data presented in this section were obtained
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estimated at 18 × 10 m /year. Irrigation accounts for from the climatological station in Maghnia. The analysis
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62% of consumption, followed by domestic (35%) and focuses on temperature, precipitation, and seasonal
industrial (3%) uses. 35 variations.
Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 166 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025120085