Study of the reliability of “Chekfa” in water distribution in the “foggara” system: a case of Adrar region, Algeria

Abstract

Abstract: This work describes the reliability of the instrument of water flow measurement chekfa, and the role of the latter in the durability of the foggara system in Adrar region, South of Algeria. As the establishment of foggaras is essentially a collective task, no one can be proclaimed the owner of foggara. Therefore, it is considered as a common property. This system of the co-ownership poses the problem of water distribution. Captured water is distributed by a traditional measurement method done by an expert person, kial el ma. The objective of this study was to examine the reliability of traditional methods of water flow measurement in comparison with the current hydraulic methods of flow gauging and measurement. The experimental results, undoubtedly, showed the conformity between habba flow and the corresponding flows measured by the habba fractions. Hence, the methodologies of measurement adopted by the autochthon people were checked against those of the current hydraulic system (flowmeter), the amount of water given to each of the owners of the foggara is recorded in a register called Zemam. The values obtained could be reproduced entirely and precisely through the saved values in Zemam (register of kial el ma).