Water stress in Morocco is becoming increasingly alarming
The Moroccan Ministry of Equipment and Water has confirmed that the country's water reserves amount to 5.729 billion head waiter this August. This represents 34.1% of the capacity of Moroccan dams, whereas at the beginning of August, the decline was 5.92 billion head waiters, or 35.3% of the capacity of national water dams. These figures are evidence of the accelerated rate of water loss.
Experts from the Moroccan Institute for Strategic Intelligence warned months ago about the water crisis the country is experiencing. They insisted in their IMIS report that the problem is exacerbated by climate change, current agricultural models and policies, the lack of resource management by government institutions and the overexploitation of groundwater.
The international report, Global Drought Zones 2023-2025, by the US National Drought Mitigation Centre for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, warned that Morocco is in danger of entering a state of ‘extreme water scarcity’ by 2050 if it does not change its treatment of water resources.
It explained that, although droughts are common in the country's arid climate, these phenomena have been intensifying since the 20th century, with 2022 being the driest year in three decades.
In his speech on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day, King Mohammed VI stressed that the most important challenge facing Morocco ‘lies in the water problem, which is being exacerbated by drought and the impact of climate change, in addition to the natural increase in demand and the delay in the implementation of some planned projects within the framework of water policy’.
Linked to the drought, which has lasted for six consecutive years in the country, is the problem of regional disparity. For example, the Bouregreg basin has almost 653 million head waiters of drinking water, while the Souss Massa basin has only approximately 136 million head waiters of water.
What solutions is Morocco implementing?
Morocco is aware of the severe water stress it is experiencing and has already taken action.
The Minister of Equipment and Water of the Kingdom of Morocco, Nizar Baraka, explained last year that the management and supply of water dams would be improved; more desalinated water would be produced; wastewater would be reused for irrigation; and society would be made aware of this issue, which is considered a matter of national security.
King Mohammed VI, in his speech on the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day, also insisted on a series of measures such as: the implementation of the 2020-2027 National Drinking Water and Irrigation Supply Programme, the completion of the dam construction programme, the implementation of water transfer projects between river basins and the completion of desalination plants.
In June this year, following the plan launched by the King, Minister Baraka made it clear that the nation cannot continue to rely exclusively on water reservoirs, as dams are no longer sufficient. He also explained that the desalination and wastewater reuse initiative are very important alternative sources.
Regarding regional disparities, Baraka expressed his commitment to equal water supply throughout Morocco, and to achieve this, the government is accelerating water transfer projects between basins, thus connecting the northern regions with the south and centre of the country.
Furthermore, the IMIS report presented ten recommendations for saving water. These include the creation of an integrated industrial sector in HydroTech Maroc, a National Water Regulatory Authority, and the implementation of networks that reduce urban leaks using smart sensors.
Another measure is to raise public awareness, as it is vital to instil a culture of conservation. In July, the Casablanca-Settat Regional Multiple Services Company launched a campaign promoting a series of habits to reduce daily water consumption through social media and recreational activities.
The Amal Salé Association launched another campaign to educate Moroccans about water conservation. The association's president and founder, Youssef Chafaoui, explained that ‘the campaign is an opportunity to highlight the difficulties faced by villagers. (...) Where citizens are forced to travel long distances to access the water they need.’