On the green hills of Sejnane, in northern Tunisia, running water was never a given. For many years, women, men, and children from nearby villages had to fetch it daily from springs or wells.
Today, the picture has changed -- the bucket has given way to the tap.
This is largely thanks to the Rural Drinking Water Supply Programme -- financed by the African Development Bank for nearly €124 million and implemented by Tunisia's Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries -- which has transformed the daily lives of more than 420,000 Tunisians. This progress was made possible through the rehabilitation of old supply systems, the creation of new networks, and the drilling of numerous boreholes across the country.
In just ten years, Tunisia has achieved remarkable progress in rural access to drinking water, raising national coverage from 92.6% to 95.3%.
A turning point for schools and learning
Yahya Nefzi, head of El Ali primary school, recalls how the institution operated for years without a connection to the water network. "The tanks we had delivered barely covered a week's consumption," he remembers. "They were exposed to the sun, creating potential health risks for the children."
A new chapter began in November 2023, when the school finally connected to the network.
"Since then, everything has changed. Water flows from the taps. Its quality has improved significantly. The learning environment has also greatly benefited, thanks to the support of the local authorities."
Nearly 1,400 schools are now connected, allowing tens of thousands of pupils to learn in healthier, safer, more supportive conditions.
Tangible progress for women and artisans
"The investments are bearing fruit. Access to drinking water in Sejnane's rural areas has risen from 48% in 2015 to 93.5% in 2024. Living conditions have improved, and the local economy has been revitalized -- especially for women,"
For potter Noura Saidani from the village of Jbissa, access to water has been life-changing. Since childhood, she has carried on the ancestral tradition of shaping clay.
"Before, we had to fetch water from a well, sometimes a kilometre away. A 20-litre container was not even enough for the dishes," she recalls. "Housework, laundry, all the family's needs depended on those daily trips. Half a day was gone just for water. Every morning started with water on our minds."
Now, water is on hand.
"I can wash, do the housework,"
says Noura with a smile. With water, production has jumped: her workshop is thriving -- from five pieces a day, she now makes 12 or 13. "I have more time, more energy. My life has improved -- and so has that of the whole village."
Running water has freed up hours, boosted productivity, and unlocked new opportunities for many women artisans, lifting their incomes and prospects.
Solar energy powering water
Improved access to water has also gone hand in hand with cleaner, more affordable energy solutions. Delivering water to households in mountainous areas posed a challenge -- one overcome with an inexhaustible resource: the sun.
A pilot solar pumping station was installed to power the distribution network. "Forty-three photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 21.5 kWp now feed the pumps," explains Mohamed Ali Laabidi, manager of Enersol, a local contractor.
The innovation has already cut energy costs by almost 30% at the pumping station, benefiting about 1,000 families.
"With more sunshine in summer, savings will reach 40%," Mohamed Ali adds.
For families, this is a relief: "Before, they struggled to pay electricity bills linked to water pumping. Today, these bills are under control."
The project also created jobs: ten people were trained in the operation and maintenance of the system, building practical skills for the rural workforce.
The stories of Noura, Yahya and Mohamed Ali show how access to drinking water drives change across education, health, local economies, and women's empowerment -- opening a clearer path to the future.
