Swimming Banned in Chiffa’s Water Bodies

The Chiffa municipal council (APC), in the Blida province, has issued a decision strictly banning swimming in rivers, ponds, irrigation basins, and wells in the area.

“In light of the recent surge in swimming in unprotected water bodies, particularly among youth and children — exposing them to the risk of drowning — it has been decided to strictly prohibit swimming in the Oued Chiffa’s water points and basins,” reads a statement signed by APC president Khaled Nabil.

Water Reserved for Domestic and Agricultural Use

The decision also obliges farmers, project developers, and construction companies to monitor and fence off all water basins and wells intended for irrigation, to prevent unauthorized access.

According to the commune’s president, this preventive measure is part of an annual awareness campaign against the dangers of drowning in ponds and water bodies, which multiply during the summer as rising temperatures push youngsters to seek out rivers and basins to cool off.
“The water in these basins is reserved for domestic and agricultural use, not for swimming,” he emphasized.