Tunisia to construct drinking water plant in Manouba governorate

Tunisia is set to have a new drinking water plant in Manouba governorate. This follows an agreement sealed for the implementation of the project between National Water Exploitation and Distribution Company (SONEDE) of Tunisia with India’s VA Tech Wabag.

The project, estimated to cost US $54M will be set up in Béjaoua, and is planned to have a capacity of 345,000 cubic meters per day. It’s objective is to ensure a continuous supply of drinking water to over 2 million people, particularly strengthening water security in the Tunisian capital, which has a population of over 2.5 million.

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Addressing water shortage

VA Tech Wabag have been tasked with handling the design, supply, construction, and commissioning of the Béjaoua drinking water plant. Additionally, the company will operate and maintain the plant for 12 months after its completion, scheduled for the end of 2026.

The project will be financed through loans from the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Apart from improving drinking water supply, the initiative aims to enhance access to basic sanitation and promote good hygiene practices, essential for human development.

This venture is part of VA Tech Wabag’s involvement in Tunisia, as the company is also developing a seawater desalination plant in Zarat to address drinking water shortages in the port region of Gabes and reduce the overexploitation of water tables. The Zarat plant is expected to commence operations in 2024.