Since the independence of Tunisia in 1956, the rapid water demand growth in the domestic, industrial, tourism and specially the agricultural sector, has forced the national authorities to implement policies for the sustainable management and exploitation of water resources. This effort for water resources mobilisation prevailed in the development of National Master Plans, along with the need to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of droughts which occurred during the last 15 years.

In this regard, Tunisia has engaged since 1990 an ambitious program for the exploitation and management of natural and non-conventional water resources, through the construction of 21 large dams, 203 off-stream dams, 1000 small reservoirs, 200 water spreading units, desalination units, borehole and well drilling, wastewater reuse and artificial recharge of the water table. This strategy aims primarily at safeguarding available resources, providing potable water to supply population needs and maintaining agricultural production, thus preserving the stability of the country’s economy.

All tasks related to water resources management fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and the institutions placed under its authority, such as DG/RE, DR/GREE, DG/BGTH, DG/ATCT, SONEDE, CRDAs, as well as local development groups of public interest.

At present, transboundary water management is realized by DG/RE for surface water. Few river basins are shared with neighbouring countries, and no problems have been encountered with regard to their management. However, with regard to groundwater resources, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya solicited the creation of “Sahel and Sahara Observatory (OSS)”, with the aim to provide assistance in the implementation of a concertation mechanism of the Aquifer System of the Sahara This mechanism, which will start operating in 2007 will have the main goal of providing an information exchange and cooperation framework between the 3 countries through the:

• Establishment of indicators on available water resources and water demand
• Elaboration of water resources management scenarios for the development of the basin.
• Strengthening cooperation and development of common databases for information exchange.
• Development and management of common monitoring networks for the Aquifer system.

The largest water user in Tunisia is irrigation, which absorbs 80% of the country’s available resources. The irrigated area is estimated at 400.000 hectares, whereas irrigation demand is actually estimated at 2.120 million m³. Irrigation water supply originates from large dams, boreholes and wells, and wastewater treatment plants and is managed by the CRDA’s and development groups.

Domestic water demand concerns urban, rural zones, as well as water sources in the Sahara and at present is estimated at 350 million m³/yr. Water supply is provided by SONEDE and the regional public services (CRDAs and Development groups in the rural zones). Industrial demand corresponds to 120 millions m³/yr approximately and tourism demand is estimated at 30 million m³/yr; both are supplied by SONEDE.

Wastewater collection and treatment is managed by a public company (ONAS). The ONAS is the  main utility responsible for the protection of water environment and for pollution abatement. One of the responsibilities of ONAS is the collection and treatment of wastewater. An estimated volume of 201 million m³ of wastewater is treated the 83 ONAS plants.

Drought is a periodic and usual phenomenon in Tunisia, always taken into account in development plans and water projects. Thus, the country has managed to overcome drought impacts over the last decade, mostly as a result of appropriate management of hydraulic works and socio-economic measures, such as appropriate agricultural practices, irrigation management etc. A practical drought guidance document was elaborated in 1999, with the aim to inform the different user-groups and institutions on appropriate measures for impact alleviation and mitigation. This policy has helped the country overcome problems in meeting water needs during wet and dry periods.

The regional services of DG/ACTA grant pumping authorisation for water abstraction from small reservoirs. These authorisations are often granted to individuals but also to user-associations, such us the Agricultural Development Groups and other management committees. The volume of water allocated should not exceed 2/3 of the lake reserve capacity. In case of collective use, the water price is determined by the management committee or the development group.

Chapter 7 of Code des Eaux (Waters Regulation) comprises 46 articles addressing the issues of pollution and flood control. Water pollution prevention is effected through the prohibition of liquid and solid waste discharges in water bodies, the establishment of protected areas in the vicinity of water supply sources and the obligation for wastewater treatment in urban areas. In terms of flood protection, the “Waters Regulation” requires the construction of infrastructure by the government, development groups of public interest or by individuals. Article 106 of Chapter 7 regulates wastewater reuse in agriculture, setting the appropriate quality standards and the crops that can be irrigated with treated effluent.