Two financing agreements worth pound 15 million in the form of grants to improve the performance of the network of the Tunisian Water Distribution Utility (SONEDE) were signed on Wednesday between Tunisia and the German Development Bank (KFW).
These agreements, signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SONEDE and KFW, aim to improve the performance of the SONEDE’s drinking water distribution networks in seven governorates in southern and central Tunisia (Kairouan, Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid, Gafsa, Gabes, Médenine and Tataouine).
These agreements are part of the network performance improvement programme of SONEDE – Phase II”, co-financed by the European Union and KfW, said the German development bank.
The programme is being implemented in two phases and aims to guarantee savings of around 15 million m3 and reduce pressure on groundwater use by reducing losses.
It also aims to provide improved, sustainable and continuous drinking water services to around two million people in the seven governorates identifie
d as underprivileged.
The project will also contribute to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change in arid and semi-arid regions and reduce CO2 emissions associated with water production and distribution.
Beate Richter, Resident Director of KfW’s office in Tunisia, said: “This funding will help SONEDE to rehabilitate parts of its network in order to ensure a more sustainable and efficient use of the limited water resources in the regions concerned and to limit the losses of this rare and precious resource.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse