Tunisia has decided to increase the prices of drinking water by as much as 16%, as reported by the official gazette on Friday.
This move comes as a response to a prolonged drought lasting five years.
“Following years of drought, recent months have seen a slight increase in average rainfall.
However, officials announced this week that the country’s dams are only at 35% of their capacity.”
Last year, Tunisia implemented measures such as a quota system for drinking water and a prohibition on its use in agriculture. Additionally, the water supply has been cut off during nighttime since last summer.
The adjustment in water prices will not affect small consumers.
However, those consuming more than 40 cubic meters will experience a rise of approximately 12%, totaling 1.040 Tunisian dinars ($0.33) per cubic meter.
Consumers using between 70 and 100 cubic meters per quarter will face a 13.7% increase, now paying 1.490 dinars per cubic meter with immediate effect.
The most significant increase, up to 16%, applies to those consuming over 150 cubic meters and to tourist establishments, which will now pay 2.310 dinars per cubic meter.
In addressing the water scarcity issue, Tunisia has initiated the construction of water desalination plants to compensate for the insufficient dams and the impacts of climate change.
(Exchange rate: $1 = 3.1198 Tunisian dinars)
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