SONEDE Makes Significant Breakthrough in Managing Water Stress in Tunisia
In a major milestone in managing water stress in Tunisia, the National Water Distribution and Supply Company (SONEDE) has made a significant breakthrough in collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project to reduce water losses in Greater Sfax has achieved results that exceed even the most optimistic expectations, marking a turning point in the country's national strategy for preserving water resources.
As Tunisia continues to face persistent drought, the numbers presented at the project's closing conference are a major technical victory. In just one year, the teams on the ground have successfully inspected over 180 kilometers of pipes, far exceeding the initial target of 100 kilometers by 2025. This accelerated schedule is a testament to the unprecedented mobilization of engineers and technicians around the climate emergency.
The most striking impact is seen in the heart of the pilot zone in Sfax city. Within this urban perimeter, the rate of water loss has been almost halved, dropping from 50% to just 26%. This success is not a coincidence; it is the result of a rapid increase in the competence of SONEDE's brigades, who are now skilled in the latest acoustic detection and pressure management techniques. By optimizing the network's performance, the company transforms each technical intervention into a vital economic gain for the region.
This success is part of a high-level bilateral partnership, as highlighted by the Japanese Ambassador, Saito Mitsuhiro, and SONEDE's CEO, Abdelhamid Mongi. The ambition is now to achieve a water loss rate below 20%, inspired by the Fukuoka model, a global reference where water waste has been reduced to less than 5%. This Japanese quest for excellence has become the new standard that Tunisia wants to adopt to modernize its infrastructure.
The stakes are higher than ever, as Sfax now largely depends on its seawater desalination plant, which came online in October 2024. Since non-conventional water production is a costly and strategic investment, avoiding leaks has become an absolute economic necessity. For the authorities present, it is a matter of valuing every drop produced to ensure the sustainability of the supply.
Beyond the technical achievements, the stakeholders have emphasized that water protection remains a collective responsibility. The success of the Sfax project should now serve as a laboratory for the rest of the country. The long-term goal is clear: to generalize these detection and repair methods across the entire Tunisian territory to build a resilient network capable of resisting the water challenges of tomorrow.
Read more: Grand Sfax: Water losses drop from 50% to 26% thanks to the SONEDE-JICA project
