Rabat – After years of drought concerns, Morocco has seen a notable shift in its water situation. Dam reservoirs across the country have reached 49.44% capacity, thanks to substantial rainfall and snow over recent months, according to Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka.
Speaking at the House of Councillors on Tuesday, Baraka noted that the current levels mark a return to figures not seen in several years. He reported that dam reserves now hold over 6.6 billion cubic meters of water. An additional 280 million cubic meters have been sorted in new dams completed since 2022.
Water inflows between last September and today have brought nearly 3.8 billion cubic meters into the country’s dams. The Sebou basin alone contributed over 1.1 billion cubic meters. Other major contributors include Moulouya with 450 million and Loukkos with 448 million.
Baraka provided a breakdown of volumes held in several large dams: Al Wahda exceeds 2 billion cubic meters, while Oum Errbia holds around 580 million. Other regions, such as Tensift, Souss-Massa, Draa-Oued Noun, and Guir-Ziz-Rheris, show lower figures but still mirror a wider national progress.
“This shift moves us from severe water stress to a more manageable situation,” Baraka told members of parliament. He tempered the optimism, however, by noting that rainfall remains 25% below seasonal norms.
Despite the progress, national water reserves still fall 58% short of usual levels. Yet the recent precipitation eased some fear over summer shortages in most parts of the country.
The minister also confirmed that Morocco now holds enough drinking water to meet demand for at least 18 months. In his view, this offers some reassurance after a prolonged period of concern.
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The recent rains also promise better conditions for farmers, particularly those depending on irrigation to sustain crops through the dry season.
Baraka also pointed to Morocco’s growing reliance on desalinated water. Plants now produce over 300 million cubic meters annually, largely due to efforts led by the National Office for Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and OCP Group.
Nearly all drinking water in Safi now comes from the sea, while desalination accounts for 80% of the supply in areas such as Berrechid, Settat, and parts of southern Casablanca, following the expansion of the Jorf Lasfar facility.
In regions like Marrakech and Al Haouz, water access remains secure until May 2026, helped by both desalination and large-scale water transfer projects. Similar interconnections between the Sebou and Bouregreg basins offer a stable outlook for central Morocco.
Work continues on a major water highway meant to link Oued Laou to Loukkos and, eventually, to Oum Errbia. Baraka said technical studies for the project should conclude by June.
Meanwhile, the government aims to scale up wastewater treatment to 100 million cubic meters by 2027 and reach 350 million by 2035. Much of this recycled water will support green spaces and recreational areas.
Though Baraka conveyed a sense of cautious optimism, the broader picture remains complex. Morocco has endured six consecutive years of drought, leaving its water reserves stretched and its infrastructure under pressure.
The recent boost in dam levels offers a reprieve, but it does not erase the underlying vulnerability. The shift from scarcity to relative stability remains fragile, progress could reverse just as quickly as it arrived. The question lingers: should Moroccans breathe a sigh of relief, or brace for the next dry spell?
