The king chaired a meeting on the water crisis, calling on the government to communicate the emergency measures that will be implemented
King Mohammed VI presided today at the Royal Palace in Rabat, a working session dedicated to the issue of water and the water crisis in Morocco. According to a press release from the Royal Cabinet, the issue of Water is a strategic issue that benefits from constant monitoring and concern from the Sovereign. In this context marked by a notable deficit in terms of rainfall and a very strong pressure on water resources in all regions of the Kingdom.
This working meeting adds to numerous other actions already undertaken, in particular in the framework of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027. This is the case, in particular, of the construction of the interconnection of the Sebou and Bouregreg basins and the commissioning of the Agadir and Safi/Jorf Lasfar desalination stations.
At the beginning of this working meeting, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, presented the water situation, which highlights, for the period from September to mid-January 2024, a rainfall deficit of 70% compared to the average, as well as a dam filling rate of 23.2% compared to 31.5% in the same period last year.
Thanks to the actions already undertaken, in particular in the framework of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program 2020-2027, several provinces and regions have been adequately supplied with drinking water in recent years. This is the case, in particular, of the construction of the interconnection of the Sebou and Bouregreg basins and the commissioning of the Agadir and Safi/Jorf Lasfar desalination stations.
The minister then presented before the king the emergency action plan drawn up by the relevant departments to deal with the current situation and ensure the supply of drinking water, particularly in cities, towns and localities that are deficient or likely to be.
This emergency action plan presented to the Sovereign and implemented at the level of the various hydraulic systems of the Kingdom, provides for a series of measures including, in the short term, the optimal mobilization of resources at the level of existing dams, wells and stations. But also of desalination plants. Also included are the construction of urgent equipment for the transportation and supply of water and where the situation requires possible measures to limit the flow rates of irrigation or distribution water.
At the same time, and in accordance with the real guidelines, planned projects with a medium-term impact will be accelerated, in particular the dams currently under construction, the interconnection between Sebou, Bouregreg and Oum Rabia, the national sea desalination stations, program for the reuse of purified waste water, water saving program at the level of water supply and drinking and irrigation distribution networks.
Mohammed VI urged relevant departments and organizations to redouble vigilance and efforts to address the challenge of water security and ensure the supply of drinking water to all localities in the Kingdom.
In this regard, the Sovereign invited the government to establish transparent and regular communication with citizens on the developments of the water situation and on the plan of emergency measures that will be implemented, while strengthening the sensitivity of the general public to saving water and fighting against any form of waste or irresponsible use of this vital material.