Marruecos recomienda restringir el riego y garantizar el agua a zonas rurales
The Moroccan government has urged the governors of its regions to activate rational water management commissions to implement water-saving measures such as banning the irrigation of green spaces and streets with "conventional" water - potable, from rivers or underground - and the distribution of drinking water by tanker trucks to rural populations affected by the drought.
In a circular sent to the various regional officials, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit urged them to activate the provincial commissions provided for in the Moroccan water law in cases of water shortages, in view of the drought the country is suffering, which experts describe as the worst in the last thirty years.
The aim of these commissions is to ensure the coordination and implementation of the necessary actions to rationally manage water resources, according to the circular, which recommends some complementary measures.
Among the measures that may be applied is the prohibition of the irrigation of green spaces with drinking water, surface or underground, as well as the cleaning of roads and public spaces with this type of water.
Also, "the application of restrictions on water debits distributed to users" and the prohibition of illegal withdrawal of water from wells or other sources such as irrigation canals.
Another measure is the distribution of drinking water by tanker trucks to the affected rural population, as well as the implementation of awareness campaigns to rationalise water use and the multiplication of efforts to reduce losses in water pipes.
This year, Morocco is facing one of its worst periods of drought in recent decades, which has compromised the agricultural season and will mean the probable loss of cereal crops, leading the country to increase its imports of this product.
The country will allocate 10 billion dirhams (about 1 billion euros) to combat the drought with a plan to help farmers and finance the national supply of wheat and livestock feed.