In the framework of a project financed by SMILO’s Islands Fund and the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM), the Island Committee and the Municipality of Kerkennah (Tunisia) are restoring ancient cisterns and impluviums. This project aims at improving water access, use and management on the island.
Restoring ancient cisterns in Kerkennah for a sustainable water management
What is the project?
Restoring local traditional cisterns and impluviums to collect rain water and better manage water resources in Kerkennah, where there was no functional device or infrastructure for rain water management, excepted in the town of Mellita.
Place: Island of Kerkennah, Tunisia
Thematic: Water
Budget: 24 637€
Partners:
Municipality of Kerkennah,
Island Committee of Kerkennah,
Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development
What ARE the objectiveS?
- Provide local farmers with fresh water for irrigation of trees and vegetables gardens
- Reduce soil salinization and prevent soil sterilisation
How?
- Restoring or rebuilding 12 cisterns and impluviums crisscrossing the island territory to collect rain water.
POSITIVE IMPACTS
- Local production of fruits and vegetables is more sustainable due to soil conservation
- The available fresh water is better distributed
- Ancient heritage (Carthaginian cisterns) is restored