The Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resource and Fisheries aims to ensure integrated, efficient, ecological and sustainable management of water resource and the sustainable use of agricultural soils on the Mornag plain, southeast of the city of Tunis. The project consists of two components: the first is dedicated to the artificial recharge of the Mornag aquifer with treated wastewater from the “Sud Méliane II” water treatment plant, and with surface water from the Medjerda Cap Bon Canal (CMCB). The second component addresses the rehabilitation of Mornag irrigated schemes on a total area of 6,812 ha.

The recharge component aims at recharging the aquifer with treated wastewater and surface water. For the recharge with treated wastewater, the component aims at providing tertiary water treatment works (sand filter and UV treatment), and building infiltration sites and/or wells to transfer treated water to the aquifer. The component also provides infrastructure to ensure the infiltration of water from CMCB to the aquifer.

The rehabilitation component aims at rehabilitating the irrigation infrastructure of the Mornag public perimeters, which have been operational since 1982. The activities include the rehabilitation of 5 pumping stations (Total = 2,300 l/s with a TDH = 85 m), the rehabilitation of the existing irrigation system, the integration of extension zones and perimeters currently supplied with treated wastewater and the improvement of the irrigation hydrants. The pressure in the irrigation network will be increased to enable the introduction of water saving methods (such as drip and sprinkler irrigation). The management and the maintenance of the tertiary system and the water fees collection will be done by farmer’s organizations (groupements de développement agricoles).