Dams: Filling Rate Reaches 67% After Exceptional Rains

Tunisia is experiencing a welcome reprieve as exceptional rainfall has dramatically boosted the water levels in its dams, offering reassuring prospects for the upcoming summer season. La Presse reports that the hydrological year, beginning September 1st, has seen cumulative inflows of about 1.56 billion cubic meters, a figure substantially higher than in recent years.

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Les barrages du Nord, qui concentrent l’essentiel des ressources en eau de surface, affichent ainsi un taux de remplissage avoisinant les 78 %

The northern regions, which hold the majority of the country's surface water resources, are seeing impressive results. Dams there are now at around 78% capacity, according to agricultural expert Aniss Ben Rayana. The Cap Bon region is performing even better, with some reservoirs reaching 98% full. Notably, the Beni Mtir dam has exceeded its maximum capacity, necessitating controlled water releases to prevent infrastructure damage and to redistribute water to other facilities.

This improved situation is expected to ensure a stable supply of drinking water throughout the summer, a period typically characterized by increased demand, particularly in the Cap Bon area. However, the recovery is not uniform across the nation. Central dams continue to present a worrying picture, with a filling rate of only 13%. The Nebhana dam, in particular, is nearly dry, posing a significant challenge for irrigation in the Sahel, Kairouan, and Sfax regions, which are heavily reliant on these water sources for their agriculture.

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Cette amélioration notable devrait garantir une alimentation stable en eau potable durant l’été, période traditionnellement marquée par une hausse de la consommation, sans craindre de coupures d’eau, notamment dans la région du Cap Bon.

To address these regional disparities and bolster water security, the Sousse desalination plant has been connected to the national distribution network. This measure aims to alleviate pressure on northern resources and promote a more balanced supply. Experts also point to the ongoing challenge of evaporation losses during the hot summer months, which can amount to tens of millions of cubic meters annually. Solutions such as cloud seeding, covering reservoirs, and using anti-evaporation films are under consideration. While the current situation is positive, the need for sustainable water management remains paramount, especially as climate change increases the frequency of drought episodes.

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Les barrages du Centre continuent d’afficher des niveaux préoccupants, avec un taux de remplissage ne dépassant pas 13 %.