Desalination in Tunisia: Past experience and future prospects

The water desalination problem in Tunisia is reviewed. A detailed historical background is given and current as well as previous efforts in the domain of desalination research and development are presented. This paper covers a number of ambitious initiatives, which tackled the water shortage problem in Tunisia through the adoption of original programs and solutions adapted to the local environment. Such programs put forth effort to take advantage and harness the abundant and readily available renewable energy sources toward the production of fresh water. Presented are also the prospects of water desalination in Tunisia, which is currently pursued as a major component of an overall strategy to meet future water demand and enhance the quality of drinking water in various parts of the country. Current and projected water demand and water availability figures are given along with potential renewable energy sources. Strategic studies along with facts and statistics on the regional development show that brackish and seawater desalination is becoming a must for the growth and the sustainability of the socio-economic progress in the Mediterranean region.