Several water infrastructure projects were inspected Sunday in Oran by Governor Ibrahim Ouchen during a field tour designed to evaluate construction progress and execution standards. Ranging from inner-city sanitation and stormwater network overhauls to the El Marsa El Kebir wastewater treatment plant, alongside a pumping station and water tower project in Misserghine, the visit featured firm directives to accelerate timelines and operationalize completed facilities.
In downtown Oran, rehabilitation works on the sanitation and drainage networks along Sœurs Ben Slimane Street have reached an 85 percent completion rate. A detailed briefing outlined completed phases engineered to halt groundwater seepage into the basements of the local finance headquarters—famously known as the “Hôtel des Finances”—as well as the Oran regional Sonelgaz building.
At El Marsa El Kebir, progress on the wastewater treatment plant drew explicit criticism from the governor. Launched in December 2024, the project stands at a mere 10 percent completion rate—a pace deemed unacceptable relative to regional targets. Strict orders were issued to expedite construction and ensure swift completion.
Once operational, the facility will process 5,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily. Beyond managing effluent, the plant is designed to enhance local environmental conditions and safeguard public health by mitigating waterborne disease risks. It will also protect the El Marsa El Kebir coastline from pollution, offering recycled water for agricultural use.
The final leg of the inspection covered the Chahid Ahmed Zabana urban zone in Misserghine, where the governor evaluated a newly completed pumping station paired with a 42-meter-high water tower holding 1,000 cubic meters.
This new infrastructure will bolster drinking water distribution across the densely populated urban center while improving pumping pressure for upper-floor residential apartments. Accordingly, the governor instructed teams to conclude testing protocols immediately to enable full operational commissioning.