Água e Sistema Sanitário

Tunisia has achieved the highest access rates to water supply and sanitation services among the MENA countries through sound infrastructure policy. 96% of urban dwellers and 52% of the rural population already have access to improved sanitation. By the end of 2006, the access to safe drinking water became close to universal (approaching 100% in urban areas and 90% in rural areas).^[1] Tunisia provides good quality drinking water throughout the year.^[7]

Responsibility for the water supply systems in urban areas and large rural centres is assigned to the Sociéte Nationale d'Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux(SONEDE), a national water supply authority that is an autonomous public entity under the Ministry of Agriculture. Planning, design and supervision of small and medium water supplies and irrigation works in the remaining rural areas are the responsibility of the Direction Générale du Génie Rurale (DGGR). Managing investment planning and implementation of projects are conducted by theCommisariats Régionaux au Développement Agricole (CRDAs).

In 1974, ONAS was established to manage the sanitation sector. Since 1993, ONAS got the status of a main operator for protection of water environment and combating pollution.

The rate of unaccounted for water is very impressive, being 18.2% in 2004