On Saturday, the Director of the Media Office of the Man-Made River Authority, Salah Al-Saadi, announced that 1.5 million Libyan citizens will be affected by the disruption in the water supply.
The halt, which comes as a result of a pipeline explosion, is likely to last for approximately one week. It primarily effects regions situated between Ajdabiya and Benghazi.
Al Saadi affirmed that the Authority is actively working on managing the crisis, focusing on extracting water from around the damaged pipeline. This extraction process will allow for damage evaluation and inspection. The authorities have been mobilised, with more than 10 digging machines, locally known as ‘Kasheks’, and over 25 water-transport tankers being put to use.
Furthermore, Al-Saadi stated that the General Company for Water and Sanitation, along with the Ajdabiya municipality, provided more than eight additional water extraction pumps. This step signifies the commitment and swift response of the authorities to mitigate the impact of the water supply disruption on the Libyan population.
This incident underscores the critical need for robust protection and maintenance of Libya’s water infrastructure. Such disruptions can have a significant impact, affecting millions of lives by limiting access to a fundamental resource like water.
Last week, the Italian Embassy in Libya, along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), pledged funding estimated at €2 million, with a view to aiding the Man-Made River Authority in restoring Ajdabiya’s vital reservoir.
The commitment follows an incident that led to the rupture of the water pipeline. The damage was caused by the theft of air valves from the region’s copper cables, which were part of the cathodic protection system.
This collaborative effort from Italy and UNDP exemplifies their dedication to supporting the recovery of Libya’s essential infrastructure. Thereby assisting the local communities affected by these infrastructural crises.
The Ajdabiya reservoir, located in Libya, is a crucial part of the country’s infrastructure, serving as a key water source for a large number of towns and cities. Over the years, the reservoir has suffered damage due to various factors, including lack of maintenance, conflict-related destruction, and criminal activities, which have affected its capacity to provide water reliably.
This restoration project is part of the larger effort to rebuild Libya’s infrastructure, and improve the living conditions of its people. It is an example of international collaboration aimed at aiding a country in need, by directly addressing one of its most pressing issues – water security.
