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Abstract
This article analyzes the efficiency of Water Users Associations (WUA) in the Cap Bon region
(Tunisia) and studies its main determinants. The analysis is performed in two stages. First, the
efficiency is measured via the nonparametric “Data Envelopment Analysis” (DEA) technique. The
DEA models are constructed not only to assess the overall WUA efficiency but also to evaluate the
management and engineering sub-vectors efficiencies separately through a mathematical modification
in the initial DEA model. In a second stage critical determinants of efficiency are determined using a
Tobit model. In this analysis the focus is on technical (characteristics of the irrigation area and
network), organizational and administrative variables. Results show that on average 18.7% of the
used inputs could be saved if the WUA would operate on the frontier. The average scale efficiency,
which can be calculated as the ratio between Constant and Variable Returns to Scale efficiency
measures was around 71%, indicating that many WUAs are not operating at an efficient scale. Subvectors
efficiencies show that WUAs present better performances in maintenance activities than in
management. The inefficiency found can furthermore be mainly attributed to the number of years of
experience in operating a WUA in addition to the number of water pumping stations managed and the
rate of the exploited area. The scale inefficiencies are mainly due to administrative and organizational
variables.