Water: From shortage to a crisis of confidence

Tunisia is grappling with a "structural crisis" in its water supply that recurs year after year, according to Houcine Rahili, an expert in water resources. He stated that the current situation has been exacerbated by electricity outages, pumping challenges, rising temperatures, and a surge in demand for bottled water. Rahili is urging for sustainable investments in water networks and a reform of the supply system.

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The problem of water in Tunisia is a “structural crisis” that repeats year after year.

The water crisis in Tunisia is not a temporary issue but a recurring structural problem requiring long-term solutions, Rahili explained. He emphasized that sporadic measures are insufficient to break the cycle of shortages and disruptions. The expert highlighted the interaction between electricity cuts and water pumping operations as a significant aggravator. Power interruptions can disrupt essential equipment for water supply, contributing to widespread problems.

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The current situation has been aggravated by the interaction between electricity outages and water pumping operations.

Rahili also pointed to new factors complicating Tunisia's water landscape, including increased demand for bottled water. He expressed alarm over the high consumption rate, estimating it at approximately 246 liters per capita annually, compared to a global average of 42 liters. This high consumption, he believes, reflects a loss of public confidence in the quality of tap water.

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This high consumption translates notably into a loss of confidence in tap water, which he associates with concerns about its quality.

The crisis in bottled water supply is attributed to several factors, including prolonged electricity outages that affected production and reduced strategic stocks held by manufacturers who fear accusations of hoarding. These difficulties coincide with rising temperatures and increased demand, intensifying supply pressures. Rahili criticized the Ministry of Commerce's intervention as "late and unjustified," suggesting that new pricing for bottled water has effectively increased prices rather than protecting purchasing power.

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The intervention of the Ministry of Commerce in this matter came “late and unjustified.”