During her speech at a session in the House of Representatives, the President of the Court of Auditors highlighted the structural challenges facing water resource management in Morocco, emphasizing the need for accelerated reforms and proactive measures to strengthen water security. She explained that since the 1960s, the kingdom has adopted a policy of building dams as a strategic measure, contributing to the sustainability of water resources. The total storage capacity of dams increased from 18.7 billion cubic meters in 2020 to 20.7 billion cubic meters by 2023, thanks to the operation of major dams.
She praised the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation (2020-2027), which has an allocated budget of 143 billion dirhams, describing it as an ambitious step toward improving access to clean water and meeting the needs of productive sectors. However, she pointed out the challenges facing this program, such as delays in completing major dams like “Médaz” and “Tromadé” due to administrative obstacles and the cancellation of related construction contracts.
The current dam stock, according to data from the end of December 2024, stands at only 29%, highlighting the need to reconsider the policy of directing future projects toward areas with abundant rainfall, particularly in the Sebou and Loukkos basins. She emphasized the importance of expediting the implementation of inter-basin water transfer projects as an effective way to reduce geographic disparities in water distribution and mitigate the impacts of water shortages in certain regions.
The President also stressed the need to mobilize unconventional water resources, such as desalination and the reuse of treated wastewater, to enhance integrated water resource management and protect strategic groundwater reserves. She called for a comprehensive approach focused on accelerating reforms and implementing innovative solutions to address climate challenges and the increasing pressure on water resources, reaffirming that ensuring water security is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development in Morocco.
source : fesnews media