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Join on Telegram Rabat – Facing mounting water stress concerns, the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region is increasingly relying on wastewater treatment plants (STEPs) to generate valuable water resources amid growing water deficit.
Since its launch, the treated wastewater reuse project has successfully decreased potable water consumption in the region by 11.7 million cubic meters.
This effort is part of the larger National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI), a 2020-2027 strategic project with an initial budget of MAD 115 billion ($11.3 billion).
These wastewater treatment plants are engineered to recycle treated water for use in irrigating green spaces and golf courses while boosting nutrient recycling and environmental benefits by minimizing pollution and discharge into natural ecosystems.
“Following the Royal High Directions, a project for reusing treated wastewater for green space irrigation was launched in 2019 in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region,” Imane Bey, interim Director General of Permanent Control Services in Rabat, told Morocco’s news agency.
The project involves multiple facilities, including six treatment stations located in Oum Azza, Skhirat, Bouregreg, Ain Aouda, Tamesna, and Sale.
“These stations produce a daily output of 56,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater, with a total storage capacity of approximately 30,000 cubic meters,” Bey added.
Smart stations transform water management
The treated water is transported through 400 kilometers of pipelines to irrigate 1,200 hectares of public green spaces across Rabat, Sale, Temara, Harhoura, and Skhirat.
The water also serves various industrial needs, including vehicle washing, road maintenance, and pipeline cleaning.
To boost the process efficiency, approximately 15 smart water reuse stations have been installed to replace conventional fire hydrants. These advanced stations feature smart card access control, enabling users to prepay for water based on their specific requirements.
To optimize the efficiency of the treated water production and distribution system, a state-of-the-art infrastructure has been implemented, including a Central Control Office (BCC) for centralized monitoring.
Royal address highlights urgent water solutions
In a speech marking the 25th anniversary of his reign, King Mohammed VI emphasized the critical issue of water scarcity.
He urged for the expedited execution of significant water transfer projects between hydraulic basins and the development of seawater desalination plants.
“In alignment with our proactive and ambitious Strategic Vision, we advocate for the swift advancement of major water transfer initiatives,” the monarch declared.
These measures include speeding up dam construction programs, prioritizing projects in regions with abundant rainfall, increasing seawater desalination to achieve 1.7 million cubic meters annually, transferring water between the Loukkos and Oum Er-Rbia basins to provide 1 million cubic meters per year, and bolstering water conservation efforts in both irrigation and potable water networks.
Also in efforts to mitigate water shortages impact, Safi province launched yesterday a major initiative to secure a reliable supply of potable water.
This newly developed strategy focuses on rapidly installing monobloc seawater desalination stations as an emergency measure to combat the water deficit.
Funded by the Ministry of the Interior and the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council with a budget estimated at MAD 1.2 billion ($120 million), this initiative aims to provide water to over 97,000 residents in Safi.
