In response to an enduring five-year drought, Tunisia has recently announced a significant adjustment to its drinking water pricing structure, with rates escalating by up to 16%, as reported in the official gazette on Friday.
Despite a recent uptick in average rainfall, the Tunisian government officials disclosed that the nation’s dams have only managed to reach a modest 35% of their overall capacity.
This shortfall has prompted the government to implement various measures, including the introduction of a quota system for drinking water and a prohibition on its usage in agricultural practices. Notably, water supplies have been intermittently curtailed during nighttime hours since the previous summer.
While the cost of water remains unaltered for small-scale consumers, those exceeding a consumption threshold of 40 cubic metres will experience a 12% price hike, bringing the rate to 1.040 Tunisian dinars ($0.33) per cubic metre.
Consumers falling within the 70 to 100 cubic metres per quarter range will bear a 13.7% increase, with an immediate effect on their bills, resulting in a new rate of 1.490 dinars per cubic metre.
The most substantial surge, a notable 16%, will be borne by those surpassing a consumption level of 150 cubic metres. Additionally, tourist facilities will also witness a steep escalation, with the price per cubic metre soaring to 2.310 dinars.
These adjustments aim to address the pressing challenges posed by prolonged drought conditions and the strain on water resources, underlining the government’s commitment to sustainable water management amid changing climatic patterns.
