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Economy

Morocco's Utility Company Urges Responsible Water Use During Eid Al Adha

Monday 17 June 2024 - 08:10

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Amidst a prolonged drought and a significant rain deficit over the past five seasons, the Moroccan National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) has issued a fervent call for the judicious use of drinking water during the upcoming Eid Al Adha festivities.

The observance of Eid Al Adha, set to commence officially on Monday, comes at a time when Morocco is grappling with a severe scarcity of water resources. ONEE’s appeal underscores the imperative to preserve water supplies to ensure continuous availability for the population during this critical period.

In a press release, ONEE highlighted that the combination of a summer heatwave and Eid Al Adha has exacerbated the demand for drinking water. The current situation is marked by a sharp decline in water resources, attributed to low rainfall and successive years of drought that have plagued the Kingdom.

The office noted that these adverse conditions have led to a reduction in dam reserves and the depletion of underground water reserves. ONEE emphasized the need for collective mobilization and shared responsibility in rationalizing water use to mitigate the impact of the water crisis.

In addition to its plea for responsible water consumption, ONEE has distributed plastic bags to its subscribers for the collection of waste from the traditional Eid Al Adha slaughtering, aiming to prevent the clogging of liquid sanitation networks.

ONEE assured the public that its teams are working diligently to ensure the supply of drinking water under the best possible conditions despite the challenging circumstances.

Morocco’s water crisis, characterized by an alarming drought and insufficient rainfall over the past five years, has prompted the government to repeatedly urge citizens to participate in water conservation initiatives and rationalization campaigns.

In response to the ongoing water scarcity, Morocco has increasingly turned to desalination plants as a viable solution to secure drinking water supplies across the country. A significant stride in this direction was made on June 10, when Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurated the construction of a seawater desalination plant in Casablanca. Located in the commune of Lamharza Essahel in the province of El Jadida, this facility is projected to have an annual production capacity of 300 million cubic meters and will serve an estimated 7.5 million inhabitants.

The Casablanca desalination project represents a substantial investment of MAD 6.5 billion (approximately $652.2 million), sourced through a public-private partnership. This ambitious initiative underscores Morocco’s commitment to addressing its water challenges and ensuring a sustainable water supply for its population.

As the Eid Al Adha celebrations approach, ONEE’s call for responsible water use serves as a timely reminder of the collective effort required to navigate the prolonged water scarcity and to secure the well-being of the nation.