Morocco's Urgent Response to Escalating Water Crisis

Friday 09 February 2024 - 10:46

Morocco is facing an escalating water crisis, and the government is racing against time to implement urgent measures to address it, says Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka. In an interview with Le Matin newspaper, Baraka outlined a series of projects aimed at safeguarding the country's dwindling water resources amidst the severe impacts of climate change.

"We have adopted solutions to confront the challenges posed by the 2023-2024 hydrological year, which has seen a significant reduction in water availability and storage levels due to climate change," Baraka emphasized.

These solutions encompass a range of strategies, including the expansion of desalination infrastructure, the redirection of more dam water to inland and mountainous regions for drinking and irrigation purposes, the promotion of treated wastewater reuse, and inter-basin water transfers to ensure a stable supply. Additionally, Morocco plans to invest heavily in water projects, with a budget allocation of MAD 143 billion.

However, these efforts come against a backdrop of concerning reports indicating that water-intensive crops such as avocados continue to be exported in large quantities despite the pressing water shortages. According to FreshPlaza, Morocco has already exported 30,000 metric tons of avocados this season as of January 7, with total exports expected to reach 60,000 metric tons.

Meanwhile, in response to dwindling water reserves, Moroccan provinces are implementing drastic measures to ration drinking water, including appeals for the closure of car washes and public bathhouses three days per week. However, critics argue that more stringent water restrictions are necessary, particularly within the agricultural sector, which accounts for over 80 percent of Morocco's water usage.

With climate change exacerbating arid conditions, Morocco is under pressure to swiftly implement both infrastructure and policy solutions to mitigate this deepening crisis. Yet, the path ahead is fraught with difficult trade-offs between economic development objectives and preserving water for essential human needs. Achieving genuine sustainability will hinge on the ability to curb non-essential water usage a formidable challenge that underscores Morocco’s commitment in this increasingly precarious situation.