Al-Bilad program on 218News discussed the water crisis in Libya, and its humanitarian, economic and social dimensions.
Water crisis worsens
Bashir Barika, a chemical engineer and scientific researcher interested in water issues, said: “Libya is ranked among 12 Arab countries and 36 foreign countries, as it is the first in the world that has crossed the severe water poverty line, meaning Libya is considered water poor.”
He said: “With regard to the Manmade River project, which is the main provider of water to Tripoli and major cities; Unfortunately, it is considered an unstable source of water due to several factors, the Manmade River project, which cost the state treasury billions, despite the passage of 28 years since its first stage of operation in 1993, no radical solution has been provided to the water crisis in the country, so far, which has exacerbated in recent years, in addition to the fact that its maintenance is very expensive.”
IInvestment in desalination
Can we say that the Manmade River project is not successful and will not be able to provide much in the future with regard to the water crisis?
Bashir Barika replied: “From my personal point of view, and many may not agree with me, this project is 30 years old, and yet the water problem still exists, for example; many of areas and suburbs in the greater city of Tripoli do not get the water of the Manmade River. The areas that get the water have been subject to very long interruptions, and even the water that reaches these areas is often unsuitable for drinking, because it lacks international water quality standards.”
“Drinking water in all of Libya does not meet international standards for the quality and purity of water, for several reasons, including the absence of periodic treatment every three months, and quality control and water in general, even if it meets international standards. This does not mean that it will be guaranteed for years, so I advise officials to invest in the field of desalination.” He added.
Engineer Bashir Barika explained that one of the reasons for the aggravation of the water crisis in Libya are many, including: the mismanagement of water resources, as about 80% of the water goes to the agricultural sector, and the oppressive depletion of groundwater.
