Unlocking the Reclaimed Wastewater Reuse in a Pioneer Front, in Beriane, Algeria

The growing population of the arid regions in Algeria increased the water resources needs for agriculture, and the wastewater reuse became key solution. In this study, we focused on the downstream Berriane treatment plant where the local farmers anticipated the reclaimed wastewater supply by adapting the farming system, what we can define as a “pioneer front.” Until 2016, unplanned irrigation with wastewater was commonly practiced by farmers from treatment plant discharge until the authorities banned this practice. Since then, farmers have turned to irrigation from wells and bore holes. The objective of this study is to assess the importance of official management and the role of the institutions in a reuse project. We are also interested in determining the position of all stakeholders including institutions and farmers in relation to this issue. We conducted more than ten interviews with stakeholders to highlight the reasons why the initial project designed for irrigation purpose failed. We came first to the conclusion that the water treatment process is not enough mature to a planned water reuse project. In fact, industrial wastes incomes were not included within the engineering studies. Second, there is no coordination between the local institutions: the water resource direction, the national sanitation office, the local environment direction, and the agriculture extension. In addition, there is no partnership between the institution representatives and the farmers. We propose a methodology enabling a better the exploitation of this resource throughout a dialog between all the actors of the wastewater sector. This methodology has been proven to be successful in other sites for a better water management.