فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Residents of the Oulad M’ala village, located within the Ain Chkef commune, staged a protest yesterday in front of the local administrative office (Bashawiya) to denounce what they described as an “unjustified deprivation” of potable water for more than 21 days. Amid rising temperatures and the approach of summer, protesters called for urgent intervention from regional authorities and the National Office for Potable Water to restore water access and initiate a serious dialogue regarding what they called an “unfair agreement” linking the local cooperative to the water authority.
Protesters chanted slogans condemning what they called “indifference” to their suffering, emphasizing that their actions do not target any specific official, but rather aim to make their voices heard and to expose the harsh reality they endure to the sector’s overseeing bodies.
A member of the local Kodia cooperative stated:
“We were shocked when the water was cut off without prior notice, even though residents consistently pay their monthly dues. When we approached the authorities, we were asked to settle large sums said to be outstanding debts, some dating back to 2018. However, we have receipts proving payments up to April 2025.”
Another protester added:
“We’re living in a catastrophic situation—our children suffer from allergies, women have no water to bathe, and female farmers face the threat of drought. This is an inhumane measure that shows a complete lack of responsibility, especially since the Ain Chkef commune is a key supplier of potable water to the city of Fez.”
According to the protesters, the tripartite agreement signed over two decades ago between the commune, the National Office for Potable Water, and the network management association does not take residents’ interests into account. The cooperative is burdened with heavy technical and financial responsibilities without any external support, despite increasing operational challenges.
Protesters also pointed out irregularities in the billing practices of the National Office. They noted a significant discrepancy between the actual amounts collected from individual meters—around MAD 5,250 in one month—and the amounts demanded by the Office—over MAD 10,000—without any clear technical explanation regarding the alleged excess or losses.
While residents insist on their continued commitment to paying monthly fees, they reject being held accountable for “losses” (leaks and technical losses), arguing that the responsibility for network maintenance lies with the National Office and the Ain Chkef commune, as parties to the agreement.
At the conclusion of the protest, residents threatened to escalate their actions, including organizing demonstrations in front of the Moulay Yacoub provincial headquarters, if their legitimate demands are not met—chief among them, the reconnection to the potable water network and the launch of a transparent investigation into water management in the area.
Source: Fes News Media
