Tokyo allocates US$21M for a wastewater treatment plant in Gabès

TUNISIA – Tokyo has allocated a substantial sum of US$21 million for the development of a wastewater treatment plant in Gabès, Tunisia.

This move is part of the Tunisian government’s proactive measures to mitigate pressure on groundwater resources in the Gabès governorate, primarily stemming from industrial activities.

A pivotal aspect of this strategy involves repurposing treated wastewater to cater to the needs of factories, including those operated by the Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT).

Tunisia’s recognition of the potential of treated wastewater reuse as a solution to global water shortages, especially in Africa, has led to the implementation of this approach over several years.

The unveiling of plans for a new wastewater treatment plant in Gabès on February 26, 2024, underscores the government’s commitment to tackling water resource challenges head-on.

Under the leadership of the National Sanitation Office (ONAS), the project will utilize a grant of 67 million dinars (approximately US$21.3 million) from Japan, facilitated through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The future plant will incorporate reverse osmosis technology, allowing for tertiary treatment of effluent using membranes. This advanced process ensures the removal of even the smallest particles, including total dissolved solids (TDS), often overlooked in previous treatment stages.

The adoption of reverse osmosis technology not only reduces effluent pollution but also trims down water and sewage disposal costs while increasing the percentage of water available for reuse.

The incorporation of low-fouling membrane technology further enhances operational efficiency and reduces maintenance expenses.

With an anticipated capacity of 6,000 m3 per day, the Gabès wastewater treatment plant is poised to significantly diminish the governorate’s reliance on groundwater, particularly benefiting industries like the GCT, heavily dependent on groundwater for phosphate production and processing.

Similarly, the World Bank, last June, allocated €113.6 million to enhance wastewater management services in Tunisia through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts.

This initiative aims to bolster the capacity of the ONAS to effectively manage such contracts, ensuring improved water supply and sanitation services for approximately two million direct beneficiaries across six governorates over ten years, with around half being women and girls.

Despite substantial progress, challenges persist in ensuring access to water supply and sanitation services in many regions of Tunisia.

Notably, approximately 360,000 individuals still rely on unimproved sanitation services, with untreated wastewater generated by over 1.7 million urban residents.

Moreover, records from 2020 reveal that 24% of wastewater treatment plants managed by ONAS were operating beyond their hydraulic capacity. Addressing these challenges remains imperative for Tunisia’s sustainable development and well-being of its citizens.

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