The Great Manmade River. The fate of the world's largest water project in Libya.

Everyone remembers how quickly and bloody such a prosperous country as Libya turned into a territory of chaos. The infosphere was then rife with probable causes of these events. They called control over oil, and Colonel Gaddafi's creation of a "golden dinar" for settlements in Africa, undermining the hegemony of the American dollar, and the perfection of technologies of orange revolutions in Libya in the form of the "Arab Spring", and the creation on its territory of an army of Islamist terrorists with the possibility of its transfer to any region of the world. There was no shortage of forecasts. And only one reason, one of the most important, was not indicated by the media and the infosphere - control over fresh water.

And in Libya, Colonel Gaddafi has carried out an ambitious project, the eighth wonder of the world, included in the Guinness Book of Records - "The Great Manmade River" (GMR).



The Great Man-Made River is an intricate network of aqueducts that supplies the desert areas and coast of Libya with water from the Nubian Aquifer. By some estimates, this is the largest engineering project in existence. This huge system of pipes and aqueducts, including more than 1,300 wells over 500 meters deep, supplies the cities of Tripoli, Benghazi, Sirte and others, supplying 6,500,000 m³ of drinking water per day. In 2008, the Guinness Book of Records recognized the Great Man-Made River as the largest irrigation project in the world.

The world media kept silent about this project in Libya, and, by the way, this project surpasses the largest construction projects. Its cost is $ 25 billion for 2012.



Back in the 80s, Gaddafi began a large-scale project to create a network of water resources, which was supposed to cover Libya, Egypt, Sudan and Chad. By the beginning of the war in Libya, this project was almost completed. The task was, I must say, historical for the entire North African region, because the problem of water has been relevant here since the times of Phenicia. More importantly, not a single IMF cent has been spent on a project that could turn all of North Africa into a flower garden. It is with the latter fact that some analysts associate the current destabilization of the situation in the region.

In the south of Libya, there are four giant underground water reservoirs (the oases of Kufra, Sirt, Morzuk and Hamada). According to some reports, they contain an average of 35,000 cubic meters. kilometers of water. To imagine this volume, it is enough to imagine the whole territory of Germany as a huge lake 100 meters deep. Such water resources are undoubtedly of separate interest. And, perhaps, it is more than an interest in Libyan oil.





This water project by its scale was named "The Eighth Wonder of the World". It provides a daily flow of 6.5 million cubic meters of water through the desert, greatly increasing the area of ​​irrigated land. 4 thousand kilometers of pipes, buried deep in the earth from the heat. Groundwater is pumped through 270 mines from hundreds of meters of depth. A cubic meter of the purest water from Libyan reservoirs, taking into account all costs, could cost 35 cents. This cost is roughly comparable to the cost of a cubic meter of cold water in Moscow. If we take the cost of a European cubic meter (about 2 euros), then the value of water reserves in Libyan reservoirs is 58 billion euros. Calculation for 2012.

Maghreb-Nachrichten from 20.03.2009 reports: “At the 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, the Libyan authorities presented for the first time a $ 25 billion water supply project. The project was called “the eighth wonder of the world” because it provides for the creation of an artificial river that would supply drinking water to the population of northern Libya. The work has been carried out since the 80s. under the leadership of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. And now the project has been completed by 2/3.

The water pipeline is supposed to stretch for 4,000 km, and through it water from underground reservoirs under the desert will flow to the north. Research has shown that this project is more cost effective than alternatives. According to calculations, the water reserves will last for 4,860 years if the interested states, Libya, Sudan, Chad and Egypt, use the water as it is envisaged by the project. "

This project could make a real "green revolution" in Africa, turn this arid continent into a real blooming garden, and eradicate poverty, hunger and poverty in African countries.

And all this without a single cent from the IMF and other international financial organizations and corporations that control the reserves and production of fresh water on the planet. But, most importantly, this project contributed to the implementation of economic stability and independence of African countries.

Naturally, the West did not like this very much, and it solved this problem radically, hiding behind completely different reasons. Fortunately, the IMF and transnational corporations already had international experience at that time.

Multinational corporations are extremely active in the privatization of water.

According to the Masons Water Yearbook 2004/5, 545 million people (9% of the world's population) already receive water from private dosimeters and at market prices. Argentina and Bolivia, first getting involved in this, urgently abandoned water privatization schemes.

The privatization of water goes only through the World Bank and those who are behind them.

The largest privatization water companies:

- Suez, 117.4 million;
- Veolia Environnement (Vivendi), 108.2 million;
- RWE, 69.5 million (before selling its major water subsidiary, Thames Water, to Kemble Water)
-Aguas de Barcelona (35.2 million);
- SAUR (33.5 million);
- United Utilities (22.1 million).
Calculation for 2005.


Now this project is practically forgotten, and Libya has turned into a reserve of terrorism and a battlefield between various groups. And there is no end in sight.

Thank.

Great post I wasn’t aware of this project. Apparently nato bombed the pipe manufacturing facility in what has been dubbed a war crime in 2011. Very sad, hopefully it can be completed.

a reply to: RussianTroll

I really believe water is a public resource and that it's immoral for someone to claim it and sell for profit.

It's essentially blackmail / control.

Good post though.
I won't forget what happened in Libya either.

originally posted by: kingparrot
Great post I wasn’t aware of this project. Apparently nato bombed the pipe manufacturing facility in what has been dubbed a war crime in 2011. Very sad, hopefully it can be completed.

Someday, if there is peace in Libya, this project will hopefully be completed

originally posted by: muzzleflash
a reply to: RussianTroll

I really believe water is a public resource and that it's immoral for someone to claim it and sell for profit.

It's essentially blackmail / control.

Good post though.
I won't forget what happened in Libya either.

Usually the reasons for wars are completely different from what we are presented with (human rights, lack of democracy, tyranny, etc.). Latent economic interests are always at the core.

Great thread.

Gaddaffi did a lot of good in Libya/Africa.
That being said, the agreement to overthrow him has turned his country into a failed state and a holding base for Al Qaeda, Isis and other terrorist organizations. What ever Gaddaffi’s failings the sort of barbarism and tribalism that exists now was absent during his rule.
So if one is comparing the present to the past, he was a great leader. If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Control over water has long been touted by doom-porners as the cause of many future conflicts, but the most probable cause of Libya's collapse was wanting rid of Gadaffi. Whether any external agencies had any direct or indirect influence is another matter, but certainly he had been a thorn in many sides for many years and certainly the US will have been keen to see him gone.

I'm not sure you can say that the world's media "kept silent" about the project - if it's in the Guiness book of records it's hardly a secret, and as this news report mentions journalists were bussed out an opening ceremony:

www.middleeasteye.net...

A long term project like this is not going to be headline news on a day to day basis, so naturally it's going to fall off the radar once the initial hoohaa is over.

If the project fails to be completed there will be some who won't cry over it - hydrology is a closed system, you can't take a huge chunk of water from somewhere and it not have an impact somewhere down the line. The 'Green Revolution' might have made some deserts bloom, but it would have had less favourable impacts elsewhere. It would have been far easier to sabotage the project with a few well placed explosions than to try and topple a country with an articially fomented revolution whose consequences would be much less predictable.

Interesting topic though.

a reply to: SecretKnowledge

Social benefits for the population under Gaddafi:

GDP per capita - $ 14,192.
For each family member, the state pays $ 1,000 in subsidies per year.
Unemployment Benefit - $ 730.
The salary of a nurse is $ 1,000.
$ 7,000 is paid for each newborn.
The newlyweds are given $ 64,000 to buy an apartment.
One-time financial assistance for opening a personal business is $ 20,000.
Large taxes and levies are prohibited.
Education and medicine are free.
Education and training abroad - at the expense of the state.
A chain of stores for large families with symbolic prices for basic food products.
For the sale of products with an expired shelf life - heavy fines and detention by special police units.
Some pharmacies offer free dispensing of drugs.
For counterfeiting drugs - the death penalty.
There is no rent.
There is no payment for electricity for the population.
The sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited - "dry law".
Loans for the purchase of a car and an apartment are interest-free.
Real estate services are prohibited.
The state pays for the purchase of a car up to 50%, for the militia fighters - 65%.
Gasoline is cheaper than water. 1 liter of gasoline - $ 0.14

There is enough water under the ground in that region to last over 4000 years apparently, calculating the estimated usage and the areas it was to be pumped to. It’s sad that people have no access to fresh drinking water or irrigation for crops.
Western countries pump water from wet areas to dry ones quite commonly, it can be managed.
By destroying the pipe manufacturing facility nato has condemned the population that would of put that water to good use. It is in fact a war crime under Geneva conventions for the military to attack civilian water supply infrastructure. It’s shameful.
a reply to: OneBigMonkeyToo

originally posted by: muzzleflash
a reply to: RussianTroll

I really believe water is a public resource and that it's immoral for someone to claim it and sell for profit.

It's essentially blackmail / control.

Good post though.
I won't forget what happened in Libya either.

Procure is a possibly a better term than claim in most cases.

The cost of water is negligible but the access, treatment, and delivery aren't cheap for "safe" drinking water.

The cost of the infrastructure varies depending on the location. Some places a couple hundred bucks worth of materials and you can put in a personal well. Other places you need to drill through rock or encase a well through sand all the way to the source. Somebody is paying for it.

Americans have it pretty easy in most cases.

The inventor of Segway had a water purification project. There was an interesting documentary about it that I can't remember the name of, but it was good. I don't know how many people die from not having access to any water, but the enteric diseases and parasites are incredibly harmful for those without clean water.

a reply to: SecretKnowledge

If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Yep. Hitler's regime built the Autobahns. But much else went on as well.

Cheers

but certainly he had been a thorn in many sides for many years and certainly the US will have been keen to see him gone.

Hillary Clinton's reaction to Gaddafi's death

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2
a reply to: SecretKnowledge

If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Yep. Hitler's regime built the Autobahns. But much else went on as well.

Cheers

Well, Gaddafi did not attack anyone and did not suit the Holocaust.

originally posted by: RussianTroll

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2
a reply to: SecretKnowledge

If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Yep. Hitler's regime built the Autobahns. But much else went on as well.

Cheers

Well, Gaddafi did not attack anyone and did not suit the Holocaust.

Oh, that's right (slaps self). It was Quadaffi (or was it Khadaffi?) who attacked others from time to time. Must have been the evil twins who did that stuff.

Truth is, G./K./Q. made plenty of enemies and they were happy to murder him when he became vulnerable.

But now that Turkey is there, everything will turn out well (/sarcasm).

Cheers

Don’t forget Russia and Egypt...
a reply to: F2d5thCavv2

a reply to: RussianTroll

It was a great idea, but with the ensuing Solar minimum, it looks like the rain belt will favor Libya again, when it stabilizes. This might be in a hundred years. The same will occur in Arizona, as the climate reestablishes. That aquifer was laid down the last time the region had plenty of rainfall. as things are cyclical no doubt it will again.

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2

originally posted by: RussianTroll

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2
a reply to: SecretKnowledge

If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Yep. Hitler's regime built the Autobahns. But much else went on as well.

Cheers

Well, Gaddafi did not attack anyone and did not suit the Holocaust.

Oh, that's right (slaps self). It was Quadaffi (or was it Khadaffi?) who attacked others from time to time. Must have been the evil twins who did that stuff.

Truth is, G./K./Q. made plenty of enemies and they were happy to murder him when he became vulnerable.

But now that Turkey is there, everything will turn out well (/sarcasm).

Cheers

I saw Libyan tanks in Berlin, Paris, London and Washington ... in a dream)))

originally posted by: RussianTroll

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2

originally posted by: RussianTroll

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2
a reply to: SecretKnowledge

If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Yep. Hitler's regime built the Autobahns. But much else went on as well.

Cheers

Well, Gaddafi did not attack anyone and did not suit the Holocaust.

Oh, that's right (slaps self). It was Quadaffi (or was it Khadaffi?) who attacked others from time to time. Must have been the evil twins who did that stuff.

Truth is, G./K./Q. made plenty of enemies and they were happy to murder him when he became vulnerable.

But now that Turkey is there, everything will turn out well (/sarcasm).

Cheers

I saw Libyan tanks in Berlin, Paris, London and Washington ... in a dream)))

Too much dreaming, my friend!!

Pretty sure Libyan tanks were in places like Tchad. Also adventures like taking part in the Arab-Israeli Wars.

Yeah, small beans compared to some of history's adventures . . . but he had his "me macho man" side.

Cheers

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2

originally posted by: RussianTroll

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2

originally posted by: RussianTroll

originally posted by: F2d5thCavv2
a reply to: SecretKnowledge

If one is comparing his rule to what was possible with the resources available, he was not so hot and more than a bit of a tyrant.

Yep. Hitler's regime built the Autobahns. But much else went on as well.

Cheers

Well, Gaddafi did not attack anyone and did not suit the Holocaust.

Oh, that's right (slaps self). It was Quadaffi (or was it Khadaffi?) who attacked others from time to time. Must have been the evil twins who did that stuff.

Truth is, G./K./Q. made plenty of enemies and they were happy to murder him when he became vulnerable.

But now that Turkey is there, everything will turn out well (/sarcasm).

Cheers

I saw Libyan tanks in Berlin, Paris, London and Washington ... in a dream)))

Too much dreaming, my friend!!

Pretty sure Libyan tanks were in places like Tchad. Also adventures like taking part in the Arab-Israeli Wars.

Yeah, small beans compared to some of history's adventures . . . but he had his "me macho man" side.

Cheers

Yes, but almost all European (and not only) cities had American tanks)))