The Secretary of State for Water Resources, Hammadi Habib, said that efforts are currently focused on the doubling of the production capacity of the Zarat seawater desalination station, in the Gabès governorate, to reach a level of 100,000 cubic meters of desalged water.
During a visit made Wednesday in the Gabès governorate, El Habib said that the increase in quantities of desalged water will help meet the growing demand for drinking water. He added that equipment necessary to repair breakdowns, especially pumps, will be gradually made available. He also pointed out that several measures have been taken to solve drinking water supply problems in several areas, including Toujane and El Mida.
The Regional Water Council of the Gabès governorate, gathered under the supervision of the Secretary of State, has recommended to accelerate the extension of the Zarate desalination station, to detach the oasis of El Hamma from the National Water Operation and Distribution Company (SONEDE), to accelerate the establishment of the water treatment station on behalf of the Tunisian chemical group, and to rigorously apply the prohibition of drilling well anarchic.
The various drinking water supply systems from the Gabès governorate are experiencing a significant water imbalance, affecting the majority of regions, in particular the areas at altitude, due to the drop in water level in many wells, due to the impoverishment of the water table.
The daily water deficit is estimated at 2,000 cubic meters at New Matmata and 120 cubic meters in Mareth. This lack makes the two desalination stations in these delegations only work half their capacity during normal period and stop completely during consumption peaks.
