FAO supports Tunisia's efforts to address water scarcity through the use of treated wastewater

Under the framework of the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa WSI and as part of the preparation and implementation of the Sanitation Safety Plan (SSP) for the safe use of treated wastewater in agriculture at the pilot site of Zaouia Sousse, a regional workshop was organized in Sousse on 28–29 July 2025.

The event, co-convened by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries through the Regional Commissioner for Agricultural Development in Sousse, brought together key stakeholders from the water, agriculture, health, and environment sectors. The goal: to foster integrated dialogue on the safe and sustainable use of treated wastewater in agriculture.

The workshop emphasized a participatory approach, ensuring representation from all stakeholders involved in water management, sanitation, agriculture, health, and environmental protection in the study area (Sousse Governorate).

On the first day, participants reviewed the main achievements of earlier SSP work, including the system description and hazard identification. Sectoral working sessions enabled stakeholders to update and prioritize risks, assess current procedures and identify data and information gaps.

The second day built on these discussions. Participants proposed targeted measures, estimated required budgets and designated responsible stakeholders for implementation, funding and monitoring. They also evaluated the effectiveness of each proposed action and set timeframes for execution.

The outcomes of the workshop were structured into four main categories:

• Sewer networks, wastewater treatment plants, and pumping stations under ONAS
• The irrigated area using treated wastewater, associated pumping stations, and storage reservoir.
• Crop and livestock production systems.
• The receiving environment (rivers, the sea, and groundwater).

Within each area, priority actions were identified to guide the implementation of the Water Safety Plan in Zaouiet Sousse.

These results will directly inform the rollout of the plan, scheduled to begin by the end of the year. The initiative contributes to national and regional efforts to tackle water scarcity, promoting the safe reuse of treated wastewater as a reliable and sustainable resource. The workshop also reinforced Tunisia’s commitment to advancing the safe use of treated wastewater in agriculture through the SSP approach, with strong national ownership and FAO’s technical support under the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative.