Simulation of water resources management scenarios in western Algeria watersheds using WEAP model

Abstract

The question of water constitutes a permanent challenge for the countries of North Africa in general and Algeria in particular. For over 20 years, western Algeria region had significant rainfall deficits that resulted in severe droughts, which seriously affected the water resources in terms of quality and quantity. This research presents one of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model applications in watersheds of western Algeria. The model is applied to evaluate and analyze the existing balance and expected future water resources management scenarios by taking into account the different operating policies and factors that may affect demand until 2030. The results showed that neither domestic demand nor agricultural demand is met for the basis year 2006. The results also showed that domestic demand can be satisfied for the considered scenarios. Demand management and development of standard of living are the necessary procedures for proper management of the available resources. However, agricultural demand cannot be satisfied for Development of Large Irrigation System scenarios. The results confirmed that WEAP software offers a solid basis to assist planners in developing recommendations for future water resource management by revealing hot spots of action.