The National Water Commission (CNE) met this Friday under the presidency of Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, to examine a strategic study on the real cost of water in Morocco. This meeting, which brought together several ministerial departments and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), aimed to identify solutions for a more efficient and sustainable management of the country’s water resources.
The study analyzed the costs associated with the mobilization, production, transport, and distribution of water, while evaluating the levers for optimizing the recovery system. Among its main conclusions:
– The current system does not cover all the costs of mobilizing water resources.
– There are significant regional disparities, with cost differences and shortcomings in recovery.
– Drought has a direct impact on the cost of water intended for irrigation.
– Desalination appears to be a competitive alternative in Morocco, according to an international benchmark.
In light of these findings, the minister called for further exploration of improvement avenues for the financing and management system of water, incorporating mechanisms for regional and sectoral equalization. He also emphasized the need to strengthen regulation of the sector by drawing on best international practices.
Finally, Nizar Baraka reminded of the ongoing efforts to secure drinking water supply, particularly through inter-basin transfer projects and the development of desalination, integrating renewable energies to optimize costs and reduce the carbon footprint.