The government is implementing a program of emergency measures to address serious water shortages in Morocco’s urban and rural areas to ensure both the population’s water supply and satisfy agricultural irrigation needs, at an overall cost of 143 billion MAD, according to Morocco’s Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka.
In an interview with daily newspaper “Le Matin” published on Thursday, Baraka said that while the initial budget had been set at 115.4 billion MAD, that figure was increased and the government will be implementing projects to mobilize conventional and unconventional water resources at an accelerated pace.
He explained that solutions, including diversifying conventional and unconventional water resources, have been adopted to address the alarming water situation in Morocco at the beginning of the hydrological year 2023-2024. Climate change has had a severe impact on water resource availability and on dam water storage levels.
The program includes increased reliance on the desalination of seawater to supply water to coastal cities, thereby allowing more dam water to be allocated to inland and mountainous areas to meet their needs for drinking water and irrigation of developed areas, as well as the reuse of purified wastewater for watering green spaces and golf courses, the minister stated.
According to Baraka, interbasin water transfers are also being implemented to ensure the population’s drinking water supply and for irrigation, adding that plans include the installation of interconnection pipelines for hydraulic systems, the drilling and equipping of water wells, the acquisition and installation of monobloc stations, and the purchase of tanker trucks.
Regarding the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027 (PNAEPI 20-27), the official noted that the government is prepared to accelerate investments in the water sector through the implementation of structural projects, particularly by mobilizing conventional and unconventional water resources to ensure the sustainable development of the water sector and the country’s water supply.
As for interconnection between hydraulic basins, he said that this approach is part of regional solidarity and involves transferring unused water from surplus regions to regions facing water shortages for various uses, such as drinking water, industry, and irrigation.
“Morocco now has 16 water transfer infrastructures covering various regions of the country and it is feasible to undertake these projects in the future to meet the needs of regions experiencing water resource deficits,” Baraka pointed out.
When asked about agricultural land irrigation, Baraka noted that, in water resource planning and management, priority is given to meeting the needs for drinking water, coordinating irrigation needs with the Ministry of Agriculture based on the year’s hydrological conditions and resource availability, as well as the supply of hydroelectric power.
In this regard, he said that allocations for irrigation have been reduced to ensure adequate drinking water supply for cities and urban centers. He noted that since September 2021, 3.5 billion cubic meters have been allocated for irrigation from the dams, while the total water inflow for the same period has not exceeded 6.5 billion cubic meters, representing over 54% of the water allocated for irrigation.
To reduce demand for drinking water, the authorities of the Rabat prefecture had issued administrative decision number 25, dated January 30, 2023, to conserve the consumption of potable water within the jurisdiction of the prefecture. The decision prohibits using potable water for washing vehicles, cleaning streets, public squares, roads, and public spaces, as well as watering green areas, gardens, and sports fields. As an alternative to drinking water for these activities, the authorities of Rabat allowed the use of treated water available in the public network of the city.
Rabat prefecture Governor Mohamed Yacoubi signed the decision and called upon public administrations, local authorities, professionals, and contractors to use treated water to meet their industrial or commercial needs or for any other non-potable water-consuming activities.
The decision also prohibits both public administrations and private individuals from planting grass or other high water-consuming plants.
It also requires traditional, Turkish, and modern baths or spas, as well as sprinklers, to close for three days a week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday until further notice.
Swimming pools for tourist, sports, or entertainment establishments will only be able to be filled once a year, and private individuals must equip their pools with water recycling and filtration systems.
All public administrations are being urged to implement these measures.