The Man-Made River Authority has resumed water flow to Tripoli and surrounding areas after a nationwide power outage halted pumping operations, temporarily cutting off supply to millions and emptying key pipelines.
The Man-Made River Authority (MMR) has announced the restoration of water flow through the Hasawna-Jafara Plain system, following a nationwide power outage that forced a complete shutdown of pumping stations and left pipelines empty. The disruption had halted water supply to Tripoli and several other areas, affecting an estimated three million people.
According to the MMR, water has now reached the Garabulli Reservoir and is moving towards the Sayeh reservoir, which supplies the capital. The authority expects water to arrive in Tripoli by the evening, gradually restoring normal supply levels.
Power Outage Disrupts Strategic Water Infrastructure
The outage began with the shutdown of the Hasawna well fields, followed by the Tarhuna and Rabta pumping stations. This sequence led to a rapid drop in water levels and the emptying of the eastern pipeline, which runs from Shuwayrif through Tarhuna, Garabulli, and Khoms to Tripoli. The interruption highlighted the vulnerability of Libya's water infrastructure to national grid failures.
Implications for Urban Supply and Infrastructure Resilience
The incident underscores the strategic importance of the Man-Made River system for urban water security in Libya, particularly for Tripoli. While the MMR has managed to restore flow, the event raises concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure amid ongoing power supply challenges. Authorities have not indicated when full operational stability will be achieved, but further updates are expected as water levels normalize across the network.
