International tenders were due to be invited in October 2008 by the Tunisian water company Sonede for the remaining 11 of 14 desalination plants to be built as part of a national program to improve water supply in southern Tunisia.
Three initial plants are being built in the delegations of Tozeur, Nefta and Herzoua, following an investment of 15.84 million dinars (US$ 12.35 million.
The Tozeur plant will have a capacity of around 6,000 m³/d, the Nefza plant 4,000 m³/d, and the Hezoua plant 650 m³/d. Preliminary drilling and pipeline connection works are under way for the three plants.