After more than seven consecutive years of water deficit, Morocco is witnessing a notable improvement in its water resource situation. Heavy rainfall observed in recent months, combined with significant snowmelt, has resulted in a substantial replenishment of national water reserves, providing the country with a valuable reprieve after a period marked by intense water stress.
According to data relayed by the daily newspaper Assabah, the overall filling rate of reservoirs has reached approximately 38%, an increase of 33 percentage points compared to the same period last year. The mobilized water reserves now stand at nearly 7 billion cubic meters, up from around 4.8 billion a year earlier. Cumulative water contributions reached over 1.58 billion cubic meters by the end of December, leading to a noticeable improvement in levels across most of the country’s water basins.
This development marks a turning point after a prolonged drought that heavily impacted water resources, agriculture, and livestock. Rainfall has affected the entire national territory, while snowfall has been particularly significant in mountainous areas, especially in the Middle and High Atlas. These snow contributions are expected to sustainably feed springs and rivers, while rejuvenating pastures, essential for pastoral activities.
The situation is particularly remarkable in several major water basins. The Sebou basin, the largest in the country, shows a volume of nearly 2.6 billion cubic meters, accounting for about 40% of national water resources, with a filling rate significantly above its nominal capacity. The Loukkos basin has also seen significant improvement, storing over one billion cubic meters and boasting a filling rate exceeding 56%. The Bouregreg basin is approaching a filling rate of 87%, while the Oum Er-Rbia basin, which has been severely affected in recent years, is gradually recovering to more reassuring levels.
This replenishment of reserves provides Morocco with strategic leeway in managing its water policies. It allows for a more confident approach to ongoing or planned structuring projects, such as the development of desalination stations, modernization of hydraulic networks, and construction of new dams.
While this water reprieve presents an opportunity, authorities are urged to continue efforts in rationalizing water use and preserving ecosystems. In the context of climate change and growing demands, this improvement, although significant, is viewed as a favorable window to enhance the country’s water resilience and consolidate its food security in the medium and long term.
With Assabah