As part of a national preventive maintenance program, the Fouka 2 seawater desalination plant (SDEM Fouka 2) will be temporarily shut down for three days, from Monday, May 30 to Wednesday, April 1, disrupting the scheduled water‑distribution program for Blida and Tipasa. According to information released by the Water and Sanitation Company (SEAAL), which is responsible for the sector in the two provinces, this interruption is part of a broader effort to ensure the long‑term sustainability of the facilities and to maintain continuity of service over time.
The work scheduled during this period consists of essential technical operations necessary for the proper functioning of the infrastructure, SEAAL specified. Preventive maintenance is a routine procedure carried out on a pre‑established schedule at all industrial facilities, including seawater desalination plants.
In a press statement, SEAAL stressed that this shutdown has been carefully planned and is being implemented in coordination with the Algerian Water Authority (ADE), reaffirming the company’s commitment to delivering a high‑quality public service and contributing to enhanced water‑security nationwide. The company added that the maintenance work will require a temporary adjustment of the distribution schedule in a number of communes in the two provinces, including Koléa, Douaouda, Chaïba, Bou Ismaïl, Aïn Tagourait, Bouharoun and Khemisti in Tipasa, and 13 communes in Blida: Blida, Bouarfa, Ouled Yaich, Beni Mered, Mouzaïa, El Affroun, Oued Djer, Beni Tamou, Boufarik, Soumaa Guerrouaou, Bouinan and Chebli.
To ensure continuity of service, all necessary measures have been taken and a temporary adjustment of the distribution timetable has been put in place for the duration of the disruption. The relevant authorities confirmed that the Fouka 2 plant will be brought back into operation immediately after the completion of the work, with a gradual return to normal service starting Thursday, April 2, for the 20 affected communes.
It should be noted that the province of Blida currently receives a substantial daily volume of desalinated water from the Fouka 2 seawater desalination plant, between 75,000 and 80,000 m³, pending the planned increase to 100,000 m³ for Blida and 100,000 m³ for Tipasa.