Spanning 2,820 kilometers, the pipeline and water conduit network of the Great Man-Made River Project is often referred to as the largest underground water system in the world.
Northern Africa is known for its vast deserts and scarce water resources, and over half a century ago, it embarked on one of the most ambitious water supply projects. The Great Man-Made River Project remains an essential infrastructure for millions, despite facing numerous challenges in recent years. The origins of the project date back to 1953 when Libya experienced an oil boom. While searching for oil, geologists discovered an underground aquifer containing ancient water, some of which is dated to be 38,000 years old. These deep reservoirs beneath the Sahara Desert provided a potential solution to Libya’s chronic water scarcity, according to Interesting Engineering.
However, it wasn’t until 1969 that the project commenced. With Colonel Muammar Gaddafi coming to power, the idea of tapping into the aquifer gained attention. Gaddafi recognized the potential to transform Libya’s arid environment and proposed the Great Man-Made River Project, aiming to “make the desert bloom.”
Water pipeline used in the Great Man-Made River Project. (Photo: Middle East Institute).
Project Scale
The network connects aquifers in the south with major urban centers along the Mediterranean coast, including Tripoli and Benghazi. In terms of natural resources, the project resembles a drinkable oil field.
The ancient water in Libya is primarily located in four vast basins. The largest of these is the Kufra Basin near Egypt, covering 350,000 km2. The aquifer there extends 200,000 km and reaches depths of 2,000 m. In the Sirte Basin, the aquifer has a depth of 600 m with a water-bearing rock area of approximately 10,000 km2. The Murzuk Basin spans 450,000 km2, with about 4,800 km2 of water-bearing rock.
Water sources are also found in the Hamadah and Kufrah basins, extending from the Qargaf Arch and Jabal Sawda to Libya’s Mediterranean coastline. Construction began in 1984, marking the start of a multi-phase project that would extend over decades. The first success came in 1989 when water flowed into the Ajdabiya reservoir.
Multi-Phase Project
The initial phase, known as Phase 1, involved excavating 85 million m3 of earth and installing large pipes to transport water from the As-Safir and Tazerbo regions to Ajdabiya, Benghazi, and Sirte. Phase 2 aimed to pump water from the southwest aquifer (Fezzan) to Tripoli and the Jefara Plain. Phase 3 of the project seeks to reinforce the existing infrastructure from Phase 1. This expansion phase is designed to increase daily water supply by an additional 1.68 million m3, raising the total capacity to 3.68 million m3.
The plan includes constructing 8 additional stations and installing 700 km of new pipes. Phase 3 is also designed to provide 138,000 m3 of water daily to the Tobruk area and its coastline. As the project progressed, its impact on life in Libya became evident. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, cities that had struggled with water shortages experienced significant improvements. The Great Man-Made River Project provided water for agriculture, industry, and the daily needs of people nationwide.
Technical and Political Challenges
The project has faced numerous challenges. From the outset, it encountered significant technical hurdles due to its enormous scale. The need for deep well drilling, large pipeline construction, and pumping water over long distances in a harsh desert environment posed difficulties. Libya’s political isolation under Gaddafi also hindered the project’s development. Despite these obstacles, the Libyan government has viewed this project as a national priority.
The impact of political conflict and neglect has become increasingly apparent. In 2019, reports indicated that 101 of the 479 wells in the western pipeline were dismantled. In 2020, the situation worsened when armed forces took control of a water supply facility for Tripoli. Nevertheless, the Great Man-Made River Project continues to play a crucial role in supplying water in Libya, meeting approximately 70% of the country’s clean water needs. Its significance is especially pronounced in a country lacking natural rivers and with scarce rainfall.
The Future of the Project
The project’s future remains uncertain. Due to ongoing instability, the completion of Phase 3, which aims to expand the system to provide water for Tobruk and other coastal areas, has stalled. Phase 4, intended to fully implement the project’s scope, has yet to begin. Years of neglect have led to deteriorating infrastructure, requiring substantial repair and maintenance investment.
Security concerns continue to impede maintenance efforts, preventing international companies from participating in the project. Additionally, there are many questions about the long-term sustainability of extracting water from a non-renewable aquifer. The future of the project is closely tied to Libya’s political stability and economic recovery. Completing unfinished phases and ensuring the infrastructure’s longevity will require significant investment from the government and the people of Libya.
