The Dams System in Tunisia: Water Wealth Amidst Administrative Inefficiency and Misuse

By Heba Rahman Bousena, Department of International Relations and Strategic Affairs

10-07-2024

 Introduction:

The water sector plays a crucial role in social and economic development, representing the sixth goal of sustainable development. However, in Tunisia, investment is heavily reliant on water depletion. Agriculture alone consumes 70% of the water resources, and the industrial sector uses significant amounts without recycling.

The dire state of water management and investment is further exacerbated by the ongoing drought, pollution, and water scarcity crisis that has plagued Tunisia for consecutive years.

For decades, Tunisia has been constructing dams to enhance its capacity to collect, store, and distribute water for various purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, flood control, pollution management, agriculture, and livestock breeding.

The first major dam in North Africa, the Wadi Kabir Dam, located 70 km southeast of the capital Tunis, was filled with water in 1928 to supply the capital.

Tunisia now has over 40 dams managed by the General Directorate of Dams and Major Water Works (DGBGTH), with a total capacity of 2.5 km³, along with 230 hill dams mostly located in the northern basin of the country.

The capacity has increased from 0.8 km³ in 1980 to 2.69 km³ in 2019, an annual growth rate of 8.11%.

Despite this relative improvement, Tunisia continues to suffer from persistent water scarcity due to its arid and semi-arid climate and various environmental and administrative risks. The country still faces numerous challenges and changes that threaten the effectiveness of its water resource management strategies. These challenges expose several shortcomings and misuses by both the administrative and governmental entities and excessive public consumption, compounded by increasing demand due to population growth and the expansion of agricultural activities.

Water resource experts highlight that “the state has become aware of the severity of the water crisis in Tunisia, but awareness of water scarcity has been delayed since 1995, and successive authorities have lacked awareness of the water risks.”

All these factors add additional pressure on these limited resources, underscoring the importance and necessity of adopting new, directed, and strict policies to address the ongoing water crises across Tunisia and to enhance the dam system for water storage and distribution.

These changes prompt us to raise a set of key questions and issues:

– What challenges contribute to the weak management of the dam system and the misuse of Tunisian water resources?

– What policies and methods are used in the dam system for distributing and managing water resources in Tunisia?

– What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current methods?

– Are there new projects or alternative methods proposed to improve water resource management?

 Challenges Leading to The Weak Management of the Dam System and Misuse of Tunisian Water Resources:

Drought:

Tunisia has suffered from significant rainfall shortages for seven seasons and continuous drought for the fourth consecutive year. This exacerbates the risks to food security in a country already struggling with severe economic difficulties. Drought threatens many areas, including the capital, with thirst due to unprecedented low dam reserves. Hamadi Habib from the Ministry of Agriculture mentions that “the situation is very dangerous due to the continuous drought years… Currently, the dam levels in Tunisia are at 25% of their capacity, with some at only 10%. Only 660 million cubic meters of water are stored in 37 dams across the country.”

Pollution:

According to the Ministry of Environment and Local Affairs, water quality in Tunisia is monitored meticulously and continuously. Water from dams used for irrigation and drinking, after undergoing several treatment processes, poses no health risks.

The results of monitoring drinking water quality show that water distributed through the networks of the National Company for Water Exploitation and Distribution complies with microbiological and physicochemical standards and meets World Health Organization specifications.

However, many Tunisian dams suffer from severe environmental degradation, pollution, and poor maintenance, imposing several challenges, including increased costs for water purification and treatment. Accumulated pollutants in dam waters can damage equipment and infrastructure used in these processes, increasing maintenance costs and operational difficulties.

While the final product, “drinking water,” may be safe, the underlying environmental issues in the dams are critical areas that need attention and remediation.

 Policies and Methods Adopted in the Dam System and Water Distribution:

New Projects Proposed and Implemented for Water Distribution and Management:

The Tunisian authorities face a severe water shortage crisis despite recent rainfall. In response, the Tunisian government has launched a roadmap with several axes and goals, including:

Seawater Desalination Projects and Dam Construction:

Seawater desalination projects are making gradual and noticeable progress. For instance, the seawater desalination plant in Zarzis, Gabes, was inaugurated by President Kais Saied on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

There are also three seawater desalination plants under construction in Gabes, Sfax, and Sousse, expected to be operational by the end of 2024. In an interview with “Al-Shorouk” newspaper published on April 5, 2023, it was revealed that tenders for four more desalination plants in Tozeur, Kebili, Sidi Bouzid, and Ben Gardane would soon be announced.

Additionally, the state has allocated 8 billion dinars (about 2.5 billion dollars) for dam construction projects in various governorates, with some nearing completion, such as the Upper Mellaq Dam, which is 80% complete.

These projects will help strengthen the country’s water resources and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Water Rationing System for Distribution:

Tunisia’s severe water situation is not a recent development. In March 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture implemented a water rationing system for drinking water distribution, banning the use of potable water distributed through the National Company for Water Exploitation and Distribution networks for agricultural purposes, green spaces irrigation, street cleaning, car washing, etc. (effective from March 31, 2023).

Calls have also been made by citizens and experts to abandon certain water-intensive crops during this period and utilize that water for direct human consumption.

Sheep and cattle breeders face challenges due to water shortages for their livestock, impacting fodder availability. This has led many farmers to abandon thousands of cows, significantly reducing milk production, which has disappeared from most store shelves, and decreasing meat quantities for consumption, leading to skyrocketing prices.

 Future of Irrigation and Intensive Farming in Tunisia:

Despite recent rainfall, farmers fear their crops may be ruined due to recent dry spells and rising temperatures. This has prompted the government to ease austerity measures, allowing regional agricultural departments to start irrigating grain crops in most areas.

Despite efforts to meet agricultural sector needs and address water scarcity and drought, calls have arisen to combat another serious issue: illegal well drilling.

In April 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a decision to limit the use of potable water for agricultural purposes, green spaces irrigation, and other wasteful uses, maintaining the rationing system for water distribution to the population. This decision was primarily due to prolonged drought and low dam inflows.

Environmental expert Adel Hentati noted that “the Tunisian government is aware of the water situation, and the new factor is the climate conditions that have caused drought for over six years, necessitating these measures.”

 Proposed Alternative Solutions and Technologies:

Among the innovative global solutions for improving the water crisis, not yet widely discussed in Tunisia, are several methods utilizing advanced technology and scientific innovation.

These solutions may be expensive, but their long-term benefits are undoubtedly worth the investment.

Nanotechnology for Water Purification:

Nanotechnology is a promising solution for water purification, using nanomaterials to remove fine pollutants, heavy metals, and bacteria from water.

These technologies not only provide clean water but also reduce the costs and time of traditional purification processes and can minimize the use of chemicals in these processes.

Hydroponics and Vertical Farming:

These techniques address water scarcity in agriculture by using significantly less water than traditional farming.

Hydroponics relies on closed systems that recycle water, reducing losses.

Vertical farming saves space and increases productivity per square meter, making it ideal for areas with limited land and water shortages.

Smart Irrigation Systems:

Smart irrigation systems use modern technology to improve irrigation efficiency and save water.

These systems use sensors to measure soil moisture levels, air temperature, weather conditions, and plant needs, then send the collected information to a central control unit that analyzes the data and makes decisions about the exact amount of water plants need.

Desalination Using Renewable Energy:

Desalination technologies using solar or wind energy can be a sustainable solution for providing fresh water. Using renewable energy reduces the carbon footprint of the desalination process, making it more economically and environmentally efficient.

These solutions are ideal for coastal areas suffering from water shortages but rich in renewable energy sources.

Treated Wastewater Reuse:

Treated wastewater can be used for irrigation, agriculture, and industry, reducing pressure on freshwater resources and promoting sustainability.

Technologies like ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis can make treated wastewater a viable option.

Some of these solutions may require substantial governmental support, international cooperation, significant investments, and infrastructure development, but in the long run, they can significantly contribute to solving or mitigating the water crisis and improving the environmental situation of dams in Tunisia.

 The Way Private Sectors’ Impact in Exacerbating Tunisia’s Water Crisis:

Monopoly and Its Impact:

– Market Control: Some private companies monopolize the market, limiting competition and increasing water prices.

– Resource Depletion: These companies’ practices lead to groundwater resource depletion through intensive well drilling and monopolize large amounts of surface water, reducing the availability of water for other uses.

– Environmental Impact: Poor resource management practices.

Overall, the private sector significantly exacerbates Tunisia’s water crisis through monopolistic practices and excessive resource exploitation. Private companies,

 through their market control and resource depletion practices, pose significant challenges to equitable water distribution and long-term sustainability.

 Conclusion:

Tunisia faces complex and interrelated water management challenges that require innovative and sustainable solutions. From environmental degradation to administrative inefficiencies, the country needs a multi-faceted approach to improve water resource management.

The proposed solutions, including nanotechnology, smart irrigation systems, and renewable energy desalination, offer promising avenues for addressing these challenges. However, these innovations require significant investment, governmental support, and international cooperation.

Additionally, the private sector’s role in exacerbating the water crisis through monopolistic practices highlights the need for regulatory reforms and stronger oversight. To secure a sustainable future for its water resources, Tunisia must embrace these new technologies and practices while addressing the underlying issues of administrative inefficiency and environ