The Court of Auditors, in its latest annual report, highlighted the major challenges facing Morocco in the water sector.
Between increasing water stress, climate change and delays in the implementation of major water projects, the Court calls for a strategic rationalization of available resources and concerted efforts to achieve the set objectives.
A worrying situation
Faced with the combined effects of persistent drought and climate change, the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (PNAEPI) for the period 2020-2027 was launched with an initial budget of 115 billion dirhams (MMDH) , subsequently increased to 143 billion dirhams to meet growing water needs.
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This ambitious program aims to increase water supply through the construction of dams and the desalination of seawater; to strengthen the supply of drinking water, particularly in rural areas; to optimize demand management through localized irrigation and network modernization; and to valorize unconventional resources through the reuse of wastewater and the collection of rainwater.
Progress and delays
Despite notable progress in water infrastructure development, delays in some key projects and persistent resource management challenges limit the overall effectiveness of efforts to respond to water stress. These delays, combined with structural problems, require reinforced actions to guarantee the achievement of the set objectives.
Construction of dams: The PNAEPI provides for the construction of 21 large dams and 330 small dams to increase national storage capacity. Since 2020, storage capacity has increased, from 18.7 billion m³ to 20.7 billion m³ at the end of 2023, with a forecast of 24 billion m³ by 2027. However, several projects, such as the M dams ‘dez (Sefrou) and Targa Ou Madi (Guercif), experienced delays due to market terminations, requiring the launch of new contracts of completion.
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Localized irrigation: the area equipped with localized irrigation reached 794,000 hectares in 2023, or 50% of irrigated land, compared to only 9% in 2008. However, despite these efforts, the demand for agricultural water remains high due to the overexploitation of groundwater, accentuating the deficit in water resources.
Seawater desalination: to respond to the water deficit, Morocco has focused on desalination. The number of desalination stations increased from 8 to 15 between 2020 and 2024, bringing annual production capacity from 46 to 192 million m³. Six other stations, including that of Casablanca (with a capacity of 300 million m³/year), are under construction to reach a total production of 438.3 million m³/year by 2027.
Wastewater reuse: although the volume of reused wastewater has increased to reach 37 million m³ in 2023, this use remains mainly limited to industry and the watering of green spaces. Agricultural reuse remains almost non-existent due to the absence of a clear institutional and legal framework to regulate cost sharing and define quality standards.
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The interconnection of hydraulic basins: the completion of the interconnection between the Sebou and Bouregreg basins in August 2023, with a budget of 6 billion dirhams, marks a major step forward. This project is part of a broader strategy aimed at connecting the Sebou, Bouregreg and Oum Er-Rbia basins. Other projects, such as the interconnection of the Oued El Makhazine and Dar Khrofa dams, are underway to secure the supply of Greater Tangier and irrigate an area of 21,000 hectares.
Recommendations from the Court of Auditors
To guarantee the effectiveness and sustainability of water policy, the Court of Auditors makes several recommendations:
Strengthen integrated water resources management in order to preserve strategic groundwater reserves; and encourage unconventional solutions such as desalination, wastewater reuse and rainwater harvesting.
Accelerate the completion of priority projects in order to finalize dam and hydraulic basin interconnection projects; to reduce losses in water transport and distribution networks; and to protect dams against siltation to maintain their storage capacity.
Mobilize the necessary funding, with the Ministry of the Economy and Finance being asked to ensure adequate funding to carry out water programs and respond to climate and economic challenges.
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Accelerate localized irrigation programs, with the Ministry of Agriculture expected to step up efforts to modernize irrigation systems and stabilize agricultural water demand.
Create intersectoral synergies, with the Ministries of the Interior, Equipment, Agriculture and Energy Transition having to develop synergies between the water, energy and agriculture sectors for more efficient and integrated management of resources.
Weatherproof against climate challenges
Reducing delays, accelerating desalination and interconnection projects, as well as sustainable management of groundwater are essential prerequisites for meeting the challenges posed by water stress. At a time when the effects of climate change are intensifying, the rationalization and optimization of water resources is becoming an imperative.
It should be noted that the Court of Auditors’ report highlights that achieving these objectives requires a clear strategic vision, continued mobilization of funding, and a firm commitment from the stakeholders concerned.
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