As Morocco continues to showcase its commitment to resource resilience in its southern provinces, the region now enjoys an abundance of water resources as its annual supply of drinking water (32.7 million cubic meters) largely surpasses its annual need of 29 million cubic meters.
The region’s urban areas need an annual amount of 23 million cubic meters, indicate the latest official estimates by Maadialna, a website affiliated with Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment website, adding that these numbers are fully met through available resources provided by the Sakia El Hamra and Oued Eddahab basin.
Sakai El Hamra and Oued Eddahab basin provide an estimated 32.7 million cubic meters per year of drinking water to Morocco’s southern provinces. The supply comes from different sources, including Fum El Oued and seawater desalination.
The report notes 13.21 million cubic meters of water come from brackish water desalination, while 13.79 million cubic meters come from seawater desalination.
The data further acknowledges a slight deficit experienced in Oued Eddahab and Ausserd, while the planning units of Laayoune, Boujdour, and Es-Semara show a minor surplus.
The units of Tarfaya, Tan-Tan, and Assa Zag are “nearly” balanced, the website added.
Morocco has been renewing its commitment to developing the country’s water resources in response to ongoing drought and a significant lack of rainfall over the past six years.
Read also: Moroccan Agriculture Vulnerable to Water Scarcity Despite Promise of Desalination
To mitigate similar challenges, Morocco launched several programs aimed at enhancing water security, including designed projects to meet growing water needs in the southern provinces.
In 2021, Morocco’s government announced $33 million in projects to boost drinking water in El Guerguerat crossing as well as in Aousserd.
The project is part of Morocco’s vision to support the socio-economic development of emerging municipalities and urban centers in its southern provinces.
Morocco’s water desalination programs gained momentum and international recognition, inspiring several European countries – including Spain and France.
Earlier this month, the Catalan government expressed interest in implementing a desalination plant strategy similar to Morocco’s approach to alleviate the drought crisis.
French President Emmanuel Macron also commended Morocco’s water policy during his state visit in October.
“I am very impressed by Morocco’s strategy in adapting its model through water highways and urban desalination projects,” he said, describing it as a holistic strategy that “France should take inspiration from.”
