Arabic version: نقص المياه والكهرباء في صيف تونس يرهق السكان والمزارعين

According to France 24, millions of Tunisians faced recurring water and electricity shortages during a summer marked by temperatures nearing 50°C. Water and power cuts, in some cases lasting more than 10 hours, affected households across the country, from Tunis and Sfax to coastal cities crowded with summer tourists.

Long queues formed outside shops and water distribution points as bottled water was rationed. On September 2, Hedi Baccour, president of the Trade Association of Supermarket Chains, told Mosaïque FM that 2.3 million bottles of mineral water were being distributed daily in major supermarkets in Tunis and its suburbs. Residents also reported higher prices and black-market sales as supplies became harder to find.

The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Society began temporary cuts in certain areas in August to ease pressure on the grid. Demand increased as people relied on air conditioning during the heat, while the National Company for Water Exploitation and Distribution depends on electric pumps for its water systems. Residents said outages disrupted attempts to cool homes and obtain potable water.

Poultry farms were also hit, particularly in the Sfax region, where 60% of Tunisia’s poultry production is based. Farmer Wadie Abdelmalek said power cuts disrupted water motors, food distribution and cooling systems at his farm. He reported losing around 500 chickens despite using diesel generators, while describing larger losses at nearby farms.

Protests took place on July 25 and August 20 as anger grew over the shortages. President Kaïs Saïed said in an August 27 statement that there had been “deliberate and planned acts of sabotage.” Unions and state-owned companies instead pointed to ageing infrastructure, delayed investment and sharply rising summer demand.