The water crisis in Tunisia is increasing from one day to the next and is spreading from year to year. Of course, rainfall is highly dependent, but given the advancement of the Saharan dunes, the narrowing of forest areas and the general orientation of Tunisian agricultural policy towards market gardening Unconsciousness and ignorance of the citizenry, and above all the alarming climatic change we are experiencing these days, we will soon find ourselves faced with a critical shortage of water.

According to a report prepared by the  Ministry of Agriculture , conventional water resources are 4,875 109 m³ /, 7 109 m³ / year come from surface water and 2.175 109 m³ / year are from groundwater. 1.56 109 m³ / yr of groundwater is renewable and 0.615 109 m³ / yr is non-renewable.

The continuous flow of wastewater and polluted industrial waste caused the intensification of beach pollution in the governorates of Greater Tunis, Nabeul and Sousse in 2016, refuting the ranking made by the Ministry of Health in early June 2016 , Which indicated the improvement of the situation and the reduction of the number of polluted beaches from 35 previously to 19 at present.

In addition, laboratory analyzes were carried out in certain areas of the Gulf of Tunis (Oued Méliane, Canal Khalij, Oued El BEy and the beaches of Soliman, Radès and Raoued). These analyzes revealed beach water pollution and non-compliance with Tunisian standards (NT 106.02), as well as high levels of bacteria that are harmful to health (fecal Coliforms, streptococci and salmonella).

Tunisia’s major urban areas, including Tunis, Sfax, Gabes, and Djerba, are already confronting water supply constraints.  To promote conservation and sustainability of Tunisia’s water resources, the GOT recognizes the need to exploit non-conventional water resources, such as the reuse of reclaimed urban and industrial wastewater, desalination, artificial recharge, and rainwater harvesting.  Currently, SONEDE operates 16 water treatment plants throughout the country and five desalination plants in the south.

Wastewater treatment is the responsibility of the Tunisia’s National Sanitation Utility (ONAS).  Tunisia has 110 wastewater treatment plants.  However, relatively little secondary and advanced water treatment is conducted.  Treated waste water is distributed to farmland, golf courses, and green spaces and is also used for groundwater recharge and ecological valorization.  Sludge is treated, thickened, and dewatered before disposal in landfills.

sources :

export.gov

directinfo