Agadir – Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is investing MAD 205.94 million ($22 million) in a major infrastructure project to strengthen drinking water supplies for the cities of Fez and Meknes by replacing a strategic section of pipeline connected to the Idriss I Dam.
The project aims to improve the reliability of one of the region’s main water transmission systems while reducing the risk of leaks and disruptions caused by aging infrastructure.
Public bids for the contract are scheduled to be opened on September 15, according to tender documents published by ONEE.
The project involves replacing approximately 9.42 kilometers of pipeline linking the Idriss I Dam water treatment plant to hydraulic facilities supplying Fez and Meknes.
The existing prestressed concrete and steel pipeline sections will be replaced with a new coated steel pipeline designed to better withstand challenging geological conditions and ensure a more secure drinking water supply.
The assessment identified several risks, including erosion-prone marl soils, underground cavities, ravines, and gypsum pockets that could threaten the integrity of the current infrastructure. Heavy traffic along the national road also places additional stress on the pipeline.
The study noted that the existing prestressed concrete pipeline has suffered repeated leaks over the years and is poorly suited to ground movement in the area.
To address these issues, ONEE opted for coated steel pipes with welded joints, citing their greater flexibility and resistance to shifting soil. The new infrastructure will also include reinforced anti-corrosion protection through internal and external coatings as well as a cathodic protection system designed to extend the pipeline’s operational lifespan.
In addition to replacing the pipeline, the project includes the installation of 14 connections to the existing network, isolation valves, air-release systems, drainage facilities, and inspection chambers.
The works will also involve trenchless crossings beneath RN8 to limit traffic disruption, as well as the construction of protective structures for access roads and ravines along the route.
