In Tunisia, summer is generally associated with hot spells and increasing shortages of drinking water. In order to guarantee water security during this period in the governorate of Tataouine, in the south-east of the country, the National water exploitation and distribution company (SONEDE) is planning works worth 73 million Tunisian dinars, around €21.6 million.
The National water exploitation and distribution company (SONEDE) wants to improve the supply of drinking water to the people of Tataouine, Tunisia’s largest governorate, covering an area of 163,610 km2. To achieve this, SONEDE, which provides the public drinking water service throughout Tunisia, plans to implement a number of projects worth 73 million Tunisian dinars (around 21.6 million euros).
The funding will be used in particular to build drinking water supply systems, mainly in areas prone to heat waves such as Tataouine. The aim is to prevent water shortages from plunging the governorate into a crisis situation during the forthcoming summer season. According to Sonede’s Managing Director, the water supply system will comprise boreholes, drinking water storage facilities and distribution networks.
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The water supply system should stabilise the supply of drinking water in the governorate of Tataouine, pending completion of the various projects currently under way. Va Tech Wabag, an Indian company specialising in water treatment, is currently building the Zarat seawater desalination plant in the governorate of Gabès in Tunisia. The plant, which is expected to have a capacity of 50,000 m3 per day (expandable to 100,000 m3 per day), will deliver drinking water to three 15,000 m3 reservoirs located in Gabès, Médenine and Tataouine. It is due to come into service in 2024, after five years’ work.
Also with a view to securing the drinking water supply for the people of Tataouine, SONEDE will be rolling out the “Water network renovation plan”. This other project is being funded to the tune of 3 million Tunisian dinars (€887,000) by the state-owned company. Added to this is the Performance Improvement Programme (PAP), which aims to promote the efficiency of water networks in the southern region of Tunisia. The programme is valued at 253 million Tunisian dinars, or around €75 million.
Inès Magoum
