After the deluge of rain in the Beni Mellal region last week disrupted operations at the Afourar water treatment plant located in the province of Azilal, in central Morocco, the plant resumed its production of potable water on Tuesday evening, according to the National Office of Electricity and Water (ONEE).
“The Bin El Ouidane dam—the primary [water] source for the Afourar treatment plant, which supplies drinking water to the city of Beni Mellal—received a significant influx of water, in excess of 10 million cubic meters,” the ONEE regional center for the Central Department of Water said in a release. The deluge led to an increase in sediment levels, causing an acute and unusual drop in the dam’s water level, affecting the quality of the untreated water and impacting the effectiveness of the treatment process making it difficult to meet required standards for drinking water, according to the agency.
As a result, ONEE services had to halt the city’s water supply from the Afourar station and shift to sourcing water from the Ain Asserdoune treatment plant and underground wells at Sidi Jaber. This caused a temporary 50% shortfall in the city’s and neighboring regions’ potable water supply.
ONEE asserted that it restored the station to full operation as quickly as possible, in coordination with all relevant stakeholders. Water production gradually resumed on Tuesday morning with normal operations restored as of Tuesday evening.
ONEE stated that its teams are continuing to work with all partners to ensure a reliable supply of safe drinking water to Beni Mellal and its surrounding areas.