Systeme aquifere du Sahara septentrional. Gestion commune d'un bassin transfrontiere

The North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS), shared by Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, stretches over a million km 2 Over the last thirty years, the boreholes abstraction raised from 0.6 to 2.5 billion m 3 /year. This rate of abstraction involves many risks : strong impact on neighbouring countries, salinisation, outlets drying up, etc... Simulations on the NWSAS Madel have enabled to pinpoint location of the most vulnerable areas and map the risks facing the aquifer system. The three countries concerned by the future of the NWSAS need to work together to develop a joint management system for the basin. A consultation mechanism has been instituted and gradually put in operation.