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Rabat – Morocco’s reservoir levels have reached 4.90 billion cubic meters, marking a 29.13% filling rate—an improvement from 23.70% at the same time last year, according to Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka.
The minister provided this update on Monday during a discussion on the country’s water resource management and sustainability efforts.
He pointed out a drastic increase in rainfall this year, with national averages reaching 50 mm between September 1 and December 6, up from 27.3 mm during the same period last year—an 83% rise. This surplus has been essential in addressing the country’s water needs.
In addition to securing drinking water supplies for urban areas, the minister outlined measures for water distribution, particularly for irrigation.
He reported that 1.066 billion cubic meters have been allocated for irrigation in 2024, representing 60% of the annual water supply from dams, while the remaining 40% will be used for potable water.
On sustainable water resource management, Baraka shared that integrated water management plans are being developed at the regional level by hydraulic basin agencies. These efforts align with the ongoing update of the National Water Plan (PNE), which is set to guide Morocco’s water strategy over the next 30 years.
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Several important projects are underway to strengthen water management. Baraka mentioned the ongoing filling of five new dams—M’dez, Fask, Agdez, Toudgha, and Tiddas—and efforts to boost water distribution network productivity to 80% by 2030.
He also discussed the progress of hydraulic basin interconnection projects, with the Sebou-Bouregreg-Oum Er Rbia and Sebou-Oued Laou projects nearing completion. In addition, 17 new large dams are under construction, which will expand the existing network of 154 dams.
Morocco has successfully established 16 seawater desalination stations, with five more currently being built and additional stations planned for the future. Baraka explained that when he first joined the government, desalinated water production was only 145 million m³. It has reached 270 million m³ today, he emphasized, announcing the new goal of hitting 1.7 billion m³ by 2030.
This effort is a central component of Morocco’s broader strategy to ensure water security amid rising demand and climate challenges. At the same time, initiatives to significantly expand the reuse of treated wastewater are also underway.
To address rural water needs, particularly in water-scarce regions, Baraka announced the urgent procurement of 582 tankers and 4,400 cisterns as part of a MAD 471 million (USD 48.5 million) program. These will be distributed across 75 provinces and prefectures, reinforcing Morocco’s commitment to providing equitable water access throughout the country.
In a positive development for Morocco’s water management, the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) recently secured €104.7 million (MAD 1.15 billion) in financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Signed in Rabat by ONEE’s General Director Tarik Hamane and AfDB Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo during the Africa Investment Forum (AIF), the agreement will support efforts to improve water infrastructure and accessibility nationwide.
The funding will help address growing water demands in urban areas while improving water supply systems in various regions.
