The Tunisian Water Observatory has called for the adoption of modern technologies to reduce water evaporation from dams. According to the observatory's head, Hussein Rahili, Tunisia, which faces water scarcity, cannot continue to rely solely on dams to mobilize its water resources without working to limit daily water loss due to evaporation. He cited data from the Ministry of Agriculture indicating that evaporation from dams ranges from 650,000 to 750,000 cubic meters per day at temperatures of 28°C.
Rahili made these remarks during a press conference organized by the Tunisian Water Observatory. He noted that the amount of water lost to evaporation is equivalent to nearly half of the daily drinking water consumption of Tunisians. The observatory head emphasized the need for Tunisia to master and develop the use of modern technologies to address this issue, citing the example of a Chinese experiment using photovoltaic panels to reduce evaporation.
The Tunisian Water Observatory is exploring projects to conduct pilot experiments to mitigate water evaporation from dams. Rahili stressed the importance of maintenance and equipment for dams, arguing that the planning for some dams did not adequately consider sedimentation and necessary equipment to prevent siltation. He noted that accumulated sediment can reach up to 30% of the capacity of some dams.
Rahili called for regular maintenance of dam equipment and enhanced interventions to preserve their capacity. He emphasized that Tunisia's water challenge is not limited to providing new resources but also involves governance of available resources, rationalizing their use, and directing investments towards network maintenance and improving efficiency.
The observatory head criticized what he described as "easy but costly solutions," referring to seawater desalination projects. Instead, he argued that the real bet is on improving network efficiency, reducing water loss, and repairing canals, particularly since around 20% of them are over 50 years old.
Rahili emphasized that addressing Tunisia's water scarcity requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond providing new resources. He stressed the need for rational water management, including the use of modern technologies to minimize losses and optimize the use of existing resources.
The Tunisian Water Observatory's call for modern technologies to reduce dam water evaporation comes as the country faces increasing water scarcity. With a growing population and limited water resources, Tunisia must adopt innovative solutions to manage its water resources effectively and ensure a sustainable future.
Key points
- The Tunisian Water Observatory recommends adopting modern technologies to reduce water evaporation from dams.
- Water evaporation from Tunisian dams ranges from 650,000 to 750,000 cubic meters per day.
- The observatory emphasizes the need for regular dam maintenance and efficient water management.
