Tunisia endures severe water and power cuts amid infrastructure neglect
Millions of Tunisians faced frequent electricity and water outages this summer, with temperatures nearing 50°C and queues for bottled water becoming common. Observers attribute the crisis to years of underinvestment in infrastructure, while President Saied has blamed deliberate sabotage. The shortages have also devastated poultry farms and disrupted daily life across the country.
The capital region alone now receives over two million bottled water units daily, yet shortages persist nationwide. The crisis stems from soaring demand for air conditioning and summer tourism, compounded by the water utility's reliance on electric pumps, which fail during grid outages.
In towns like Jemmal, residents report chaotic nighttime deliveries, with shops hoarding stock and reselling at inflated prices. Those unable to afford marked-up water turn to potentially unsafe well sources, while the extreme heat has also decimated poultry operations across the country.
The prolonged shortages could deepen socioeconomic divides, as wealthier residents secure supplies while poorer households face health risks from unsafe well water. Poultry farmers may suffer lasting economic losses, potentially driving up food prices. Widespread frustration with unreliable utilities may erode public confidence in governance, though the precise political fallout remains uncertain.