Tunisia - Project to Improve the Quality of Treated Water

This project will help to improve the performance of sanitation services and the quality of treated wastewater (TWW) in Tunisia. It will contribute to achieving one of the National Sanitation Agency (ONAS)’ strategic objectives, which is attaining a 50% TWW reuse rate by 2016. The project will, through actions designed to promote TWW reuse, effectively contribute to reducing water stress in the country as well as addressing users’ grievances, which are increasingly being taken into consideration since the 14 January revolution in terms of access to a regular supply of sufficient quantity and quality of TWW for irrigation. It will be implemented from 2012 to 2016, comprising a series of operations under two components aimed at: (i) upgrading sanitation facilities by overhauling the water and sludge systems and transfer networks, and establishing remote monitoring and management systems; (ii) building the capacity of the National Sanitation Agency (ONAS) through assistance for studies, works monitoring and control, participation in training, procurement of operating equipment and project management. These operations will be implemented at a total cost of UA 33.30 million or TND 73.67 million, financed to the tune of 88% by the Bank and 12% by the Tunisian Government.