In response to a prolonged five-year drought, Tunisia has recently announced an upward adjustment in drinking water prices, marking an increase of up to 16%, as reported in the official gazette last Friday.
While the nation has experienced a recent uptick in average rainfall, officials disclosed this week that the dams in Tunisia have only reached 35% of their storage capacity, underscoring the ongoing water scarcity challenges.
Last year, Tunisia implemented a drinking water quota system and prohibited its agricultural use to address the water crisis. Since the summer months, the government has been implementing nightly water supply cutoffs.
The latest pricing adjustments involve a 12% increase to 1.040 Tunisian dinars ($0.33) per cubic meter for those exceeding 40 cubic meters. Consumers falling within the 70 to 100 cubic meters range will witness a 13.7% hike to 1.490 dinars per cubic meter, effective immediately.
The most significant increase, amounting to 16%, is applicable to those consuming over 150 cubic meters and to tourist facilities, with the new rate set at 2.310 dinars per cubic meter.
Recognizing the need for innovative solutions, Tunisia has initiated water desalination projects to mitigate the impact of climate change and compensate for the scarcity of dams in the country.
Despite these efforts, the adjustment in water prices reflects the multifaceted approach the government is taking to address the critical water situation and ensure sustainable access to this essential resource.
- Tags: 16%water price, Africa, Drought, High water price, tunisia
