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Fez – Morocco has gained short-term visibility on its water supply after recent heavy rainfall pushed dam reserves to 76%, offering a buffer of up to three years for drinking water needs, according to Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka.
Speaking before parliament on Monday, Baraka said the rise in water reserves reflects a temporary improvement, but it does not change the country’s long-term strategy.
The country continues to accelerate a broad plan designed to secure water resources in the face of recurring drought and climate pressure.
At the center of this strategy is a steady expansion of storage capacity.
Fourteen dams are currently under construction, which will raise national capacity to 27 billion cubic meters, up from about 21 billion today.
The aim is to better capture rainfall during wet periods and reduce vulnerability during dry years.
Desalination is also becoming a key pillar of the country’s water policy.
Two major plants are scheduled to be launched in 2026, one in Tangier with a capacity of 150 million cubic meters, and another in the Oriental region with 300 million cubic meters.
Additional facilities are planned for 2027 in Tiznit and Guelmim, each expected to produce around 100 million cubic meters.
These projects aim to reduce reliance on rainfall and diversify supply sources.
The government’s approach combines several tools: dam construction, interconnection of water basins, seawater desalination, and the reuse of treated wastewater.
These measures form what officials describe as an integrated model for managing increasingly scarce resources.
In rural areas, infrastructure development remains a parallel priority. Authorities report that 21,000 kilometers of roads have already been completed under a program aimed at reducing regional disparities.
An additional 2,400 kilometers are currently under construction, with delivery expected between 2026 and 2027.
Maintenance of rural roads has also been incorporated into public policy through agreements with regional authorities.
Access to drinking water in rural communities has improved but remains uneven.
The connection rate has reached 51%, covering nearly 1.8 million households across around 11,000 villages. Another 7,000 localities are in the pipeline, highlighting both progress and remaining gaps.
Beyond water, the government is linking infrastructure development to broader economic and strategic goals.
The gas port in Nador is expected to become operational by the end of 2026, positioning the area as an energy hub.
Meanwhile, the Dakhla Atlantic port is being developed as a platform for green hydrogen and trade with Africa, in connection with the planned Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline.
Tanger Med continues to strengthen its role as a major logistics hub, with container traffic nearing 11 million units in 2026.
Despite the improved outlook, concerns remain.
Lawmakers across political lines have warned that some regions still face seasonal shortages, particularly during the summer.
Others have pointed to structural risks such as flooding, evaporation, and aging infrastructure, calling for more forward-looking and sustainable water management.
The recent rainfall has eased immediate pressure, but officials and policymakers agree that Morocco’s water challenge is far from resolved, and the current momentum must translate into long-term resilience.
