Libya propose new national water plan

The Housing and Infrastructure Board (HIB) has proposed a new national water plan that aims at addressing the country’s water and sanitation challenges.

The country aims to bridge the gap between water supply and demand and significantly enhance wastewater treatment capacity, ultimately improving the living conditions and public health of its citizens.

The plan is divided into two phases. The first phase is scheduled to begin in 2024 and end in 2026, while the second phase will extend from 2026 to 2050. During the first phase, the focus will be on constructing new drinking water supply systems and rehabilitating existing ones. This is a crucial step to ensure that clean and safe drinking water is available to the population.

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National water plan

The plan calls for the improvement of sewerage networks in various cities across Libya, including Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Zawia, Sebha, Al-Beida, Tobruk, Derna, Ajdabiya, Al-Marj, Zliten, Al-Khoms, Gharyan, Zuwara, Nalut, Brak Al-Shati, Ghat, Ubari, and Murzuq. Some of these networks were damaged during a storm on 10-11 September 2023, highlighting the need for their repair and improvement.

The second phase of the plan focuses on enhancing wastewater treatment capabilities. This involves the installation of new wastewater treatment plants, some of which are already under construction, as well as the renovation and maintenance of existing plants. These facilities are critical for improving sanitation across the country.

Libya is currently facing a significant deficit in both water supply and wastewater treatment. While the country’s population requires 2 million m3 of water per day, it can only produce 1.4 million m3, leaving a daily deficit of 580,000 m3. Additionally, a substantial amount of wastewater is discharged into the environment without proper treatment, with only 259,000 m3 of wastewater being treated daily.