UN‑Habitat Pushes Rainwater Harvesting in Tunisia Amid Growing Water Scarcity
Published: 27 February 2026
Key Takeaways
- Majdi Frihi, project manager at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‑Habitat), announced that the agency is actively developing solutions to valorise rainwater across Tunisia.
- The initiative comes as the country grapples with water shortages, climate change, and persistent drought, while a large share of precipitation is currently lost.
- In an interview on Radio Nationale (Friday, 27 Feb 2026), Frihi stressed the need for multiple storage and reuse techniques, urging a return to proven traditional methods such as installing domestic cisterns (Majel) in homes and residential complexes.
- A Japan‑backed programme supports the effort, aiming to:
- Store rainwater for use during the summer months.
- Reduce pressure on the Société Nationale d’Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux (SONEDE) network.
- Prioritise drinking‑water supply for citizens.
- Avoid using treated water for secondary purposes (e.g., irrigation, cleaning).
- The strategy is part of a broader, global push to preserve Tunisia’s water resources in the face of escalating climate challenges.
Why Rainwater Harvesting Matters for Tunisia
| Challenge | How Rainwater Harvesting Helps |
|---|---|
| Seasonal water deficits | Provides a supplemental source during dry summer months. |
| Over‑reliance on SONEDE | Alleviates demand on the national distribution system. |
| High treatment costs | Reduces the need to treat water for non‑potable uses. |
| Climate‑induced variability | Enhances resilience by diversifying water supply options. |
Recommended Practices (as highlighted by Majdi Frihi)
- Install domestic cisterns (Majel) in new and existing buildings.
- Revive traditional water‑catchment techniques (e.g., rooftop gutters, underground tanks).
- Integrate community‑level storage for neighbourhoods and housing complexes.
- Leverage Japanese technical and financial support for design, construction, and maintenance.
Looking Ahead
UN‑Habitat, together with Tunisian authorities and Japanese partners, plans to roll out pilot projects in several governorates later this year. Monitoring will focus on water‑quality standards, storage capacity, and community adoption rates. Successful models could be scaled nationally, contributing to Tunisia’s long‑term water security and climate‑adaptation goals.
Further Reading
Read also: Project Hashimori – The Japanese Experience in Bridge Management and Maintenance
Keywords: rainwater harvesting, Tunisia water scarcity, UN‑Habitat, climate change adaptation, SONEDE, Japanese cooperation, sustainable water management, Majdi Frihi.
