The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, delivered a reassuring message to parliamentary advisors this Tuesday, April 15: recent rainfall has helped replenish Morocco’s water reserves, bringing them to a level deemed sufficient to meet the country’s needs for one to three years.
The volume of water stored in reservoirs currently reaches 3.785 billion cubic meters, representing a filling rate of 49%, a record according to the minister. This level would ensure water security in the medium term and allow for an increase in water dedicated to agricultural irrigation.
However, despite this notable improvement, the country still faces a rainfall deficit estimated at 25% compared to the annual average. Precipitation between September 2024 and March 2025 showed significant regional disparities: an average of 58 mm in the Tangier region compared to barely 7 mm in the south. Meanwhile, snowfall covered an area of 34,000 km², also contributing to the replenishment of groundwater.
As part of its strategy to secure water supply, the government has accelerated investments in hydraulic infrastructure, amounting to a total of 140 billion dirhams. Among the priorities, the minister mentioned the development of seawater desalination plants, particularly the expansion of the El Jadida plant led by the OCP group, as well as the ongoing construction of the future Casablanca plant.
The treatment and reuse of wastewater are also part of the action plans. Morocco currently produces 40 million cubic meters of treated wastewater, intended for the irrigation of public green spaces, with the goal of reaching 70 million cubic meters by 2027.
Nizar Baraka expressed his confidence in the country’s ability to overcome water stress, while emphasizing the need to maintain structural efforts and long-term investments.