It should be noted that during the very dry period of the years 1980-90, the available water resources were far from sufficient to irrigate the area already equipped for full or partial control irrigation. Irrigation is now of fundamental importance in Algeria, not only for winter crops, but also for spring and summer crops. They can be regrouped according to which authority is responsible. The reasons for this are shortage of water, the deterioration of the infrastructures and the abandonment of soils due to salinization. Most of these schemes were constructed more recently than the OPIR schemes.
Priority is given to fruit trees in periods of water shortage.
Consequently, in order to avoid frequent restrictions in water distribution to the vegetable crops, many farmers have dug wells on the schemes themselves. This amount does not cover operation and maintenance costs. This Ministry covers all the activities of research, exploitation, production, storage and distribution of water for all uses. A water law was passed on 17 July 1992. Special attention has to be paid to the siltation of the dams, which sometimes reaches worrying levels.