# North African bottled water shortages and price surges > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-african-bottled-water-shortages-and-price-surges > Updated: 2026-09-12T19:58:40.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. Tunisia has experienced a severe shortage of bottled water caused by extreme summer heatwaves and frequent power outages. These outages have disrupted both domestic water pumping and industrial bottling processes. During the crisis, packaged water consumption surged, with retailers reporting that bottled water accounted for up to 90% of some supermarket activities. While the Office national du thermalisme et de l’hydrothérapie (ONTH) mobilized millions of liters to supply the Grand Tunis area, critics noted that such measures failed to address structural issues or support rural regions. This situation has expanded into a broader regional concern in North Africa, characterized by rising prices for mineral and spring water. In Algeria, consumer protection groups reported price increases attributed to the rising cost of PET plastic used for bottles. In Tunisia, the crisis has highlighted the economic disparity between expensive bottled water and tap water, leading to calls for the reactivation of traditional freshwater fountains to provide more affordable alternatives. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: North African bottled water prices surge amid rising plastic costs Rising costs for bottled mineral water in Algeria and Tunisia are being driven by increased PET plastic prices and market monopolies, prompting calls for price stability and the use of public fountains. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-african-bottled-water-prices-surge-amid-rising-plastic-costs ### 2026-08-29: Tunisia faces bottled water shortage amid heatwaves and power cuts Tunisia faces a critical bottled water shortage due to extreme heat and power outages. Consumption spiked fourfold in July, causing supply disruptions and significant shifts in retail distribution. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hungary-prepares-for-the-20262027-school-year --- Cite as: North African bottled water shortages and price surges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-african-bottled-water-shortages-and-price-surges