Assessment and management of water resources in the watershed of the middle Seybouse (Northeast Algeria)

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the assessment of water resources in the Seybouse middle sub-basin. Analyses of water and various current uses are used to draw attention to the necessity of implementing water resources integrated management into a plan aiming at a rational exploitation. Design/methodology/approach – Any sustainable management of water resources is closely dependent on the ability to accurately assess the quantity and quality of available water resources that are used as water supply for the population, agricultural production, industrial or energy. The analyzed and processed available data serve as database for integrated water resources management. Findings – Analysis shows that the annual water supply is represented by 71 percent of the surface water resources and 29 percent of groundwater. The total volume of water used in the middle Seybouse basin is estimated at 36.22 hm3/yr. The predicted water needs are estimated to 79.19 hm3/yr in 2030. The groundwater of the Guelma alluvial aquifer exhibits a calcium chloride-facies general trend. The evolution of the chemical elements is related mainly to the geological nature of the reservoir lithologies. The heavy metals do not exhibit clear anomalies, but the surface water of the majority of streams is heavily infected with bacterial germs. Practical implications – The obtained results show that the Seybouse middle sub-basin needs twice as much water by 2030 for the different uses. This requires a better management of water resources for a sustainable development in this specific region of Eastern Algeria. Originality/value – This paper is devoted to the management of water resources in a specific region (the middle Seybouse basin) which constitutes an interesting example of considerations to be taken for a sustainable development.