Tunisia Faces Water Crisis: Urgent Action Needed
Tunisia is currently grappling with a severe water crisis as alarming warnings from the Tunisian Water Observatory highlight the necessity to declare a state of water emergency. Recent statistics reveal that the filling rate of Tunisian dams has plummeted to a mere 23.2%, equating to 545.683 million cubic meters. This marks a significant decline from 736.634 million cubic meters recorded three years ago, indicating a shortfall of 190.951 million cubic meters. Water expert Rawda Al-Qafraj has expressed grave concerns, stating that the current water stock is insufficient to sustain citizens for even a month without rainfall. The daily evaporation rate alone reaches up to 0.5 million cubic meters, compounded by a consumption rate of between 1.7 and 2 million cubic meters.
Urgent Solutions and Future Outlook
To address the pressing water supply issues, experts suggest immediate and innovative solutions. Al-Qafraj recommends distributing water via tankers sourced from deep wells intended for agricultural use, as the national water distribution network is struggling to maintain adequate pressure due to the low water supply. Hussein Al-Rahili from the Tunisian Water Observatory emphasizes that the drastic changes in dam water levels over the last three years necessitate a comprehensive and strategic plan to manage and distribute water resources effectively. He warns that the periodic water cut-off system adopted by the Tunisian Water Exploitation and Distribution Company is merely a temporary fix and calls for a more permanent solution to the ongoing drought conditions. As the country awaits the winter rains, which are crucial for replenishing water reserves, the situation remains critical for the Tunisian population.
