Morocco's Souss-Massa Region Embraces Seawater Desalination to Combat Water Scarcity

In a bold move to address severe water stress, Morocco's Souss-Massa region is turning to seawater desalination as a sustainable solution for securing a reliable water supply. This innovative approach comes as part of a broader national initiative to tackle water shortages across the country.

The Regie Autonome Multi-Services d'Agadir (RAMSA) has taken the lead by installing six monobloc seawater desalination stations, each capable of producing 35 liters per second. Saad Daaif, head of RAMSA's potable water division, revealed plans to expand this network to 24 stations, aiming to achieve a combined flow rate of 286 liters per second.

This regional effort is part of a larger national program overseen by the Ministry of the Interior. RAMSA has been tasked with managing the construction of 203 monobloc desalination stations and mobile demineralization units across Morocco's 12 regions. The ambitious project targets a total flow rate of 1,263 liters per second, with individual stations ranging from 3 to 50 liters per second capacity.

The initiative falls under the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation (PNAEPI), a comprehensive strategy set to run from 2020 to 2027 with an initial budget of 115 billion Moroccan dirhams ($11.5 billion). This program encompasses various water management projects, including the acquisition of 44 desalination and demineralization monobloc units and the installation of 219 monobloc stations. These efforts are expected to mobilize over 70 million cubic meters of water annually.

To further address water scarcity, especially in rural areas, the government is investing in 1,209 tanker trucks and 9,717 plastic tanks. This multi-faceted approach aims to provide drinking water to approximately 3 million people in regions experiencing critical water shortages.

Mustapha Baitas, the Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament and government spokesperson, emphasized the crucial need for diverse water management strategies. These include constructing dams, implementing water interconnection projects, and expanding seawater desalination efforts. The government has allocated a substantial 143 billion Moroccan dirhams ($14.7 billion) to support these vital initiatives.

As Morocco faces the challenges of decreased rainfall over the past three years, these innovative solutions demonstrate the country's commitment to ensuring water security for its citizens. The Souss-Massa region's adoption of seawater desalination serves as a model for sustainable water management in water-stressed areas, potentially inspiring similar initiatives across the nation and beyond.