Morocco is currently facing a crisis exacerbated by several years of drought. The Moroccan Ministry of Transport and Water reports a staggering 78 per cent drop in the volume of surface water, plunging the country into a critical situation that requires an urgent response from the government.
Over the past six years, Morocco has seen the volume of its surface water resources shrink from over 15 billion cubic metres to just 4.84 billion. This spectacular decline not only threatens aquatic ecosystems such as lakes and rivers, but also affects the drinking water supply of millions of citizens.
This scarcity of fresh water has a direct impact on the quality of life in Morocco and exacerbates tensions over the management of water resources.
The situation with groundwater is equally worrying. In several regions, groundwater levels are falling by up to four metres a year.
This decline is hampering the natural replenishment of these vital reserves and causing water quality to deteriorate. Increasing levels of pollution are threatening aquatic biodiversity and exacerbating the country’s environmental problems.
The country’s economy, traditionally based on agriculture, is feeling the full brunt of climate change. The agricultural sector, an important pillar and source of employment, is particularly vulnerable in the face of increasing weather uncertainty. Reduced water resources affect not only crops but also livestock, leaving many farms in a precarious situation.
The current water shortage is likely to significantly reduce agricultural production, increasing Morocco’s dependence on food imports. As a result, the cost of basic foodstuffs could rise, affecting the purchasing power of households.
Faced with this looming crisis, the government has introduced a series of emergency measures to try to address the current shortages. These include limiting development and promoting efficient irrigation techniques. The country is also committed to building small dams, a crucial initiative to ensure water supplies for rural areas and livestock.
Beyond temporary measures, the Moroccan government is turning to more sustainable solutions by investing heavily in new water infrastructure. An ambitious plan to build 16 new dams is underway, promising an additional capacity of 5 billion cubic metres.
These projects will be accompanied by the installation of desalination plants to convert seawater into fresh water.
Reuse of treated wastewater
Morocco is also focusing on developing technologies to reuse treated wastewater, a strategy that could significantly increase water supplies while promoting sustainable, environmentally friendly management of this precious resource.
Beyond current efforts, Morocco’s water future will largely depend on the country’s resilience and adaptability to climate change. The challenges are many: not only do we need to improve existing infrastructure, but we also need to educate the population on how to use water wisely and sustainably.
MN/sf/te/lb/GIK/APA