Meeting at Ben Arous Governorate to Address Sanitation Issues
During a working session at the Ben Arous Governorate, attended by central and regional officials, several key points were discussed, including sanitation problems in all delegations of the governorate and the presentation of measures and solutions to address them. The integration of residential neighborhoods lacking sanitation networks into national neighborhood development programs was also discussed, in addition to the renovation of outdated networks and intervention for the cleaning of sewage evacuation networks in anticipation of the rainy season, contributing to the improvement of living conditions for residents.
According to information provided by the governorate's services on their official page regarding this working session held last Tuesday, the main environmental problems affecting the region were examined and classified. The CEO of the National Sanitation Office (ONAS) indicated that the ministry is working to strengthen connection networks through new constructions. In this context, many residential neighborhoods have been scheduled as part of the 2026/2030 Development Plan to resolve issues related to sanitation and purification networks. Furthermore, significant financial allocations have been made for the rehabilitation of the Oued Melyane Sud purification station and its equipment with tertiary treatment technology. It was specified that the call for tenders for this project has been launched and that work is expected to begin in early 2027.
The CEO of ONAS emphasized that efforts are underway to accelerate the effective entry into service of the El Khlidiya purification station, with the possibility of opening the existing network for the connection of an additional number of inhabitants. He committed to taking charge of conducting a technical study to address the environmental situation in both Hammam-Lif and Hammam Chott, based on which interventions will be scheduled to reduce sea water pollution. He also announced the reinforcement of the governorate with necessary maintenance equipment in 2026 and the possibility of concluding a contract with private operators if necessary.
Key Points Discussed
- Sanitation problems in all delegations of the governorate
- Integration of residential neighborhoods lacking sanitation networks into national neighborhood development programs
- Renovation of outdated networks and intervention for the cleaning of sewage evacuation networks
- Rehabilitation of the Oued Melyane Sud purification station
- Acceleration of the effective entry into service of the El Khlidiya purification station
- Technical study to address the environmental situation in Hammam-Lif and Hammam Chott
- Reinforcement of the governorate with necessary maintenance equipment in 2026
Next Steps
- Launch of the call for tenders for the rehabilitation of the Oued Melyane Sud purification station
- Beginning of work on the project in early 2027
- Conducting a technical study to address the environmental situation in Hammam-Lif and Hammam Chott
- Scheduling of interventions to reduce sea water pollution
- Reinforcement of the governorate with necessary maintenance equipment in 2026
