Dakhla Invests $25 Million in Water Infrastructure on Throne Day

Tuesday 30 July 2024 - 16:40

In a significant move to bolster water security, the Moroccan city of Dakhla has allocated nearly MAD 250 million ($25 million) for projects aimed at enhancing its potable water supply and wastewater management systems. This substantial investment was announced during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of Throne Day, underscoring the city's commitment to sustainable development.

In his Throne Day address, King Mohammed VI lauded the impact of water desalination plants in Morocco's southern provinces, particularly in Dakhla. These facilities have been instrumental in driving both economic and social progress in the region. The monarch called for the expansion of the Dakhla plant and an increase in the production capacity of similar facilities, emphasizing the region's potential for clean energy production. This is crucial not only for meeting the growing demands of agriculture, tourism, and industry but also for advancing water management and ensuring sustainable development across Morocco.

The ceremony saw the launch of two major projects by Ali Khalil, the Wali of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region and Governor of the Oued Eddahab province, along with key figures such as Mohamed Boubekri, the Regional Director of the Sahara Provinces at the National Office of Electricity and Potable Water (ONEE) - Water Branch, and Khalid Zouhari, the General Director of the Dakhla Development and Planning Company.

The first project, with an investment of over MAD 72.32 million, focuses on the rehabilitation of the potable water distribution network. This initiative aims to refurbish 79 kilometers of water pipelines and 7,323 connections, enhancing network efficiency and reducing water loss. Scheduled for completion within eight months, the project will be executed in partnership with the Dakhla Wilaya, the Regional Council, the Municipal Council, the Provincial Council of Oued Eddahab, ONEE’s Water Branch, and the Dakhla Development and Planning Company.

The second project, with a budget of over MAD 112.35 million and an estimated completion time of seven months, aims to upgrade the wastewater system in several neighborhoods, including Al Massira, Al Wakala, Oum Tounssi, Al Amal, and El Kassam. This endeavor will see the installation of 53 kilometers of sewerage channels and 2,150 new connections.

Additionally, the Wali and his delegation reviewed another key project aimed at boosting the city's potable water supply. With a budget of MAD 64 million and more than 90% completion, this initiative is led by ONEE’s Water Branch in collaboration with the regional Wilaya and the Dakhla municipality. It includes the installation and connection of two new wells and the renewal of a 19-kilometer water supply pipeline linking a 1,000-cubic-meter reservoir in Taourta to a 500-cubic-meter reservoir in the Nahda neighborhood. A new semi-buried reservoir with a 1,500-cubic-meter capacity will also be constructed in the same area.

These projects are expected to significantly address Morocco's potable water deficit, paving the way for a sustainable water supply from the new shared desalination plant, which will serve both agricultural and potable water needs. The plant is currently under construction and is set to be operational by the end of 2025.

In his Throne Day speech, King Mohammed VI emphasized the critical importance of water conservation, declaring it a "national responsibility" that requires the involvement of every Moroccan. "Preserving water is a national responsibility that concerns all institutions and all stakeholders. It is also every citizen’s solemn duty," he stated.

This substantial investment in Dakhla's water infrastructure reflects a broader commitment to sustainable development and water security, setting a precedent for other regions in Morocco.