World Bank to provide water supply loan to Tunisia

The World Bank has announced that approximately $26.2m will be made available in financing for upgrading water supplies and services in the Greater Tunis area and other cities in Tunisia.

The financing is part of the National Water Security Investment Program developed by national water utility Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux (SONEDE) and the Tunisian Government.

The funds will help in supplying water to around five million people in Tunisia. They will be used mainly to fund the rehabilitation and capacity expansion of the Greater Tunis potable water treatment plant situated in Ghdir-el-Gollah and also the Belli potable water plant, which serves the centre of the eastern part of the country. They will be used to improve the financial situation of SONEDE also.

SONEDE provide services to the entire urban population of 500 towns and cities, along with around 50% of the rural population in 2,659 villages and rural communities.

In the Greater Tunis area, SONEDE has faced higher-than-expected water demand, which resulted in urgent production capacity upgrades to avoid water shortages in the medium term.

World Bank country manager for Tunisia Eileen Murray said: "Water is an engine for development. It has an impact on industrial growth, on commercial activity and tourism, as well as on the daily lives of citizens in all neighborhoods, whichever socio-economic group they come from."