A side event organized on the second day of the UN Climate Conference by the Moroccan Association of Municipal Council Presidents (AMPCC) and the Directorate General of Local Authorities (DGCT) under the theme “Reuse of Treated Wastewater: An Innovative Alternative of the Circular Economy in Urban Spaces” facilitated discussions on the challenges associated with this practice, seen as a sustainable response to water stress, in line with the Royal High Directions.
Officials and experts emphasized that the pressure on freshwater resources is intensifying due to urban development, agricultural and industrial demand, and persistent rainfall deficits. The reuse of treated wastewater thus emerges as a “win-win” solution: it reduces the consumption of drinking water while preventing pollution of ecosystems.
In light of seven consecutive seasons of drought and ongoing rainfall deficits, Morocco has adopted a proactive strategy to secure its water resources, according to Jaouad Elkharraz, founder of the Water-Energy-Climate Experts Network. He noted that over-extraction of aquifers, saline intrusion, and the depletion of surface water necessitate the use of “non-conventional” sources, including desalination and wastewater reuse.
Discussing the potential of desalination, Mr. Elkharraz pointed out that an ambitious national program aims to produce 1.7 billion m³ of freshwater annually by 2030, leveraging reverse osmosis technology and an increasing reliance on renewable energy to power the country’s major stations.
He also highlighted that reuse is progressing, with some treatment plants producing biogas and providing treated water for irrigation and green spaces. “The example of Agadir, where the station irrigates nearly 15,000 hectares of agricultural land, illustrates this approach to the circular economy,” he elaborated.
With these advancements, Morocco is positioning itself among the most active African countries in mobilizing climate financing, notably from the Green Climate Fund, while also exploring the industrial and biotechnological use of brine derived from desalination.
El Hassan Zoubir Idrissi, head of the environment at the Local Public Networks Directorate of the DGCT, detailed the national strategy for the reuse of treated wastewater, integrated into the National Program for Combined Sanitation and Wastewater Reuse (PNAM). This program, he explained, aims to mobilize 100 million m³ of treated water by 2027 and 573 million m³ by 2040, for golf courses, green spaces, agricultural irrigation, and certain industrial activities.
He reported that to date, 30 golf courses, 16 green spaces, and six industrial uses consume about 53 million m³ of treated water annually, highlighting flagship projects in Marrakech (670 ha), Rabat-Salé-Témara (1,200 ha), Tangier, Tetouan, and Agadir, which demonstrate the effectiveness and variety of urban and agricultural uses.
Mr. Idrissi added that the 2025-2034 program plans to extend to 90 municipalities and includes 14 new agricultural projects, noting that the private sector is also contributing, with the OCP Group having valorized over 20 million m³ for phosphate washing in 2024.
For his part, Karim Bouamrane, mayor of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine and vice president of Plaine Commune (France), praised Morocco’s leadership in Africa regarding sustainable development and advocated for cooperation based on sharing expertise and training future generations.
He emphasized the need for a new generation of political leaders conscious of ecological issues, capable of promoting adaptability and resource preservation in both Europe and Africa.
Finally, Rachid El Batah, president of the municipality of Sidi Ifni, presented the local experience of the municipality, equipped with a wastewater treatment and reuse station that covers nearly 20% of the city’s water needs, stressing that this initiative has helped alleviate shortages and secure water supply for residents and local activities.
Simultaneously, he noted, the municipality utilizes treated water for irrigating green spaces and maintaining parks, minimizing waste and integrating these practices into urban planning.
According to Mr. El Batah, these actions, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, concretely illustrate the national effort to promote sustainable water management by mobilizing non-conventional resources and developing locally adapted solutions to increasing water stress.
MAP Ecology