Tunisian coast: Wastewater a growing threat to beaches

Tunisia's prized coastline, a cornerstone of its tourism industry, is increasingly imperiled by a rising tide of untreated wastewater. Industrial and domestic effluents are being discharged directly into the Mediterranean, turning once-pristine beaches into health hazards and environmental liabilities.

The consequences are stark: waters can turn dark brown or black, emitting foul odors, and rendering areas unsafe for swimming. The beach at Radès, a southern suburb of Tunis, serves as a grim example. Once a popular summer destination, its degradation is attributed to effluents from industrial activity flowing into the Oued Méliane before reaching the sea. This pollution has led to swimming bans not only at Radès but also in other southern suburbs.

Similar issues plague the beach at Ezzahra, which has also become unfit for swimming due to overflowing wastewater systems polluting coastal waters. These incidents, once sporadic, are becoming alarmingly recurrent. In early August, the Sidi Salem beach was declared unsafe after alarming levels of fecal streptococci and salmonella were detected, linked to untreated wastewater from the Oued Harraga.

The coastal resort of Yasmine Hammamet also recently experienced a significant wastewater discharge directly onto its beach, sparking outrage among residents and tourists and prompting urgent calls for action. To avert an ecological catastrophe, experts emphasize the immediate need to halt direct discharges into the sea. Proposed solutions include diverting effluents away from swimming zones and upgrading wastewater treatment plants to process nearly all discharged water.

Beyond safeguarding the vital tourism sector, these measures are crucial for ensuring the health and cleanliness of the beaches, protecting swimmers' well-being, and preserving marine ecosystems, fisheries, and groundwater resources for the long term.