Water reserves in Morocco’s reservoirs had risen to about 4.90 billion cubic meters, or 29.13% of their capacity, as of December 6, Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, announced on Monday, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
As of the same period last year, reservoirs were at 23.70% of capacity. This 5.43% improvement over last year is likely due to the significant increase in rainfall from September 1 to December 6 this year, Baraka told MAP.
During that period, the amount of rainfall was 50 millimeters, up from 27.3 mm during the same period last year.
Baraka noted that the government has designated specific drinking water supplies for rural and urban areas.
Additionally, Baraka’s Ministry has collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture to allocate irrigation quotas for agricultural farming, typically the largest consumer of Morocco’s annual water usage.
In 2023, irrigation accounted for 1.066 billion cubic meters of water, about 60% of the total annual water reserves, while 40% was designated for drinking water.
The Ministry of Equipment and Water has pledged to increase water-saving measures and crack down on wasteful water practices.
Baraka announced the National Water Plan (PNE), which is undergoing updates. The PNE will include new measures to improve water use efficiency and build new dams to store rainwater for 30 years.
The minister highlighted five new dams: M’dez, Fask, Agdez, Toudgha, and Tiddas. Once the reservoirs behind them are filled, water efficiency is expected to increase to 80%, Baraka said.