Tunis: The Tunisian Water Distribution Utility (SONEDE) has not yet planned the quota system, its central director in charge of water conservation, Chaouki Ben Mansour, has announced, pointing out that the cuts currently being recorded are due to technical problems. In a video interview with TAP, he pointed out that once the decision has been taken, the company will announce all the measures relating to water cuts during the 2024 summer season. Ben Mansour pointed out that the current cuts are either due to measures to regulate the supply of drinking water, particularly in the Sahel network, or to cuts planned by SONEDE to repair the water distribution network. The official added that there are also power cuts at pumping stations, which cause interruptions and cuts in the supply of drinking water (emergency breakdowns). When asked about the citizens' recourse to water storage, he described this behaviour as "pointless" as long as SONEDE had not decided to apply the quota system. "Recourse to water cut-of fs will only be made in extreme cases, linked either to rainfall levels or to the behaviour of citizens," the official said. Regarding the difficulties in supplying drinking water to the Sahel region, he explained that drinking water will not be cut off, but the amount of water available will be regulated to ensure a balanced supply between the different zones. He underlined the efforts made by SONEDE to supply water for the 2024 summer season, pointing out that the company had spent 50 million dinars on 75 projects to develop the water system. Nearly 19 projects have been completed, while around 36 projects will enter their final phase in July 2024. He went on to say that projects that have been blocked due to land ownership issues are being resolved in coordination with governors. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse