Dam situation still below expectations
The filling rate of Tunisia's dams stood at 34.2% during the period from September 1, 2023, to February 21, 2024, with water reserves estimated at 791.9 million cubic meters (m³), according to the latest data published by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI).
As of February 15, 2024, water inflows into the dams were limited to 455.8 million m³, a significant decrease compared to the average recorded in recent years (1,051.5 million m³).
Notably, 95% of these water supplies come from dams in the north, while dams in the center and Cap Bon regions contribute only 4% and 0.6%, respectively.
However, it is worth mentioning that water inflows during this period were higher than those recorded a year earlier (259 million m³). The filling levels vary significantly across dams.
For instance, the Sidi Salem dam is at 36% of its capacity, while the Sejnane and Sidi Saâd dams are at 29% and 23%, respectively. The Bouhertma and Joumine dams are at 56% and 26% of their capacities, respectively.
ONAGRI also reported a decline in rainfall over the past four months, with precipitation limited to 84.5 mm, compared to an average of 144.5 mm in recent years. This represents a rainfall deficit ranging between 27% and 68%, depending on the region.
Tunisia ranks 18th globally in terms of drought**
Tunisia is ranked 18th globally in terms of drought and 20th for water scarcity, according to data published by the World Resources Institute. These findings are included in a report titled 'Climate Inflation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Climate Change,' prepared by the Arab Institute of Business Managers.
The report highlights the major challenges Tunisia faces, including rising temperatures, declining rainfall, water scarcity, and drought.
Over the past three decades, Tunisia has experienced a temperature increase of approximately 0.4 degrees Celsius. For example, the average temperature between May and September 2022 was around 27.9 degrees Celsius, but it dropped to 27.1 degrees Celsius in the summer of 2023.
The agricultural sector is particularly affected by these climate changes, as it consumes about 80% of the country's water resources. This poses a significant challenge in a context of increasing water scarcity.
Tunisia is in a state of water stress, with only 420 cubic meters of water available per capita annually—a deeply concerning situation.
With dam levels continuously declining and water stress intensifying, this vital resource is becoming scarcer by the day. While some may point to irresponsible water usage by citizens, authorities also bear a share of the responsibility for this critical issue.
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Water reserves in dams are stable
According to the latest data released on Friday by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI), the overall fill rate of dams in Tunisia stood at 35.7% as of March 7, 2024. Water reserves in these facilities remained relatively stable compared to the same period last year, at 840 million cubic meters (m³). However, compared to the average recorded over the past three years, there has been a slight decline of 4.6%. It is important to note that the fill rate varies significantly across regions. Dams in the north of the country have a fill rate of 41.1%, accounting for 90% of the total water reserves in Tunisia's dams. In contrast, dams in the Cap-Bon region have a fill rate of 32.3%, while those in the central region are at just 13.8% of their capacity. ONAGRI also highlighted that water inflows into the dams on March 7 reached 2.960 million m³, with nearly 1.9 million m³ coming from dams in the north. Total water usage from the dams on that day amounted to 1.226 million m³. The Ministry of Agriculture is working to address the water scarcity issue by either raising the height of existing dams or constructing new ones, such as the Upper Mellegue Dam. Water scarcity challenges Tunisia ranks 18th globally in terms of drought and 20th for water stress, according to data from the World Resources Institute. These figures are included in a report titled 'Climate Inflation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Climate Change,' prepared by the Arab Institute of Business Leaders. The report underscores the major challenges Tunisia faces, including rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and increasing water scarcity and drought. Over the past three decades, Tunisia has experienced a temperature increase of approximately 0.4°C. For instance, the average temperature between May and September 2022 was around 27.9°C, but it dropped to 27.1°C in the summer of 2023. The agricultural sector, which consumes about 80% of the country's water resources, is particularly vulnerable to these climate changes. This poses a significant challenge in a context of dwindling water resources. Tunisia is currently in a state of water stress, with only 420 cubic meters of water available per capita annually—a deeply concerning situation. As dam levels continue to decline and water stress intensifies, this vital resource is becoming increasingly scarce. While some blame irresponsible water usage by citizens, authorities also bear a share of the responsibility for this critical issue.
African Manager
04-03-2025
- African Manager
Dam situation still below expectations
The filling rate of Tunisia's dams stood at 34.2% during the period from September 1, 2023, to February 21, 2024, with water reserves estimated at 791.9 million cubic meters (m³), according to the latest data published by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI). As of February 15, 2024, water inflows into the dams were limited to 455.8 million m³, a significant decrease compared to the average recorded in recent years (1,051.5 million m³). Notably, 95% of these water supplies come from dams in the north, while dams in the center and Cap Bon regions contribute only 4% and 0.6%, respectively. However, it is worth mentioning that water inflows during this period were higher than those recorded a year earlier (259 million m³). The filling levels vary significantly across dams. For instance, the Sidi Salem dam is at 36% of its capacity, while the Sejnane and Sidi Saâd dams are at 29% and 23%, respectively. The Bouhertma and Joumine dams are at 56% and 26% of their capacities, respectively. ONAGRI also reported a decline in rainfall over the past four months, with precipitation limited to 84.5 mm, compared to an average of 144.5 mm in recent years. This represents a rainfall deficit ranging between 27% and 68%, depending on the region. Tunisia ranks 18th globally in terms of drought** Tunisia is ranked 18th globally in terms of drought and 20th for water scarcity, according to data published by the World Resources Institute. These findings are included in a report titled 'Climate Inflation: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Climate Change,' prepared by the Arab Institute of Business Managers. The report highlights the major challenges Tunisia faces, including rising temperatures, declining rainfall, water scarcity, and drought. Over the past three decades, Tunisia has experienced a temperature increase of approximately 0.4 degrees Celsius. For example, the average temperature between May and September 2022 was around 27.9 degrees Celsius, but it dropped to 27.1 degrees Celsius in the summer of 2023. The agricultural sector is particularly affected by these climate changes, as it consumes about 80% of the country's water resources. This poses a significant challenge in a context of increasing water scarcity. Tunisia is in a state of water stress, with only 420 cubic meters of water available per capita annually—a deeply concerning situation. With dam levels continuously declining and water stress intensifying, this vital resource is becoming scarcer by the day. While some may point to irresponsible water usage by citizens, authorities also bear a share of the responsibility for this critical issue.
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Drought hydra getting worse despite recent rainfall!
Tunisia is in a precarious water situation, with an alarming 420 cubic meters of water per inhabitant per year. As dam levels continue to fall and water stress increases, this resource is becoming scarcer by the day. While we tend, rightly or wrongly, to blame the casual and irresponsible behavior of citizens, the authorities also bear some responsibility. In this respect, the National Observatory for Agriculture (ONAGRI) has indicated that, thanks to recent rainfall, the level of dams reached 23.27% on January 1, 2025, although the water situation remains critical. According to ONAGRI's daily statistics on the situation of the dams, the water stock on that date amounted to 544 million cubic meters (m3), collected in 36 dams with a total storage capacity of 2 billion 337 million m3. In its analysis, ONAGRI stresses the need to remain vigilant despite the improvement in water inflows into dams, pointing out that the water situation in Tunisia requires sustainable and responsible management of water resources. By December 27, 2024, the level of dams had reached 22.5%. The dams continue to receive water inflows, thus increasing water reserves. In fact, the daily inflows amounted to 5.4 million m³, bringing the current stock to 526.9 million m³. Enormous challenges With its arid and semi-arid climate and rapid population and economic growth, Tunisia faces significant water management challenges. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Tunisia is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, with water availability of less than 400 cubic meters per person per year, well below the water stress standard of 1,000 cubic meters per person per year. Tunisia also faces water quality problems, with high levels of groundwater and surface water pollution. Natural water sources are often overexploited and depleted, leading to a decline in the quantity and quality of available water. The state has implemented a number of policies and programs to improve water management, including the construction of dams and desalination plants, the adoption of more efficient irrigation techniques and the promotion of sustainable water management practices. However, much remains to be done to ensure the efficient and sustainable use of water in Tunisia. UTAP calls for dialogue The Technical Committee for Planning and Exploration in the Water Sector, which reports to the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP), has called for a dialogue between the organization and the Ministry of Agriculture as soon as possible in order to find urgent solutions to ensure better management of available water resources in a fair and equitable manner and to guarantee the sustainability of the agricultural sector in the face of climate change, as well as maintaining food security. During a recent meeting, the committee examined the water situation and its negative impact on Tunisian agriculture following successive years of drought and the lack of alternatives to reduce the impact of climate change on production systems, UTAP said in a press release. The committee considered that the high rate (50%) of irrigation water loss, the record decline in water reserves in dams due to residues and lack of maintenance are the main factors in the waste of water resources. It also warned that the complexity of the administrative procedures for granting permits to drill wells, once the technical procedures have been completed, is a major obstacle to the sustainability of agricultural production and the preservation of crops that cannot withstand water scarcity.
