Following the country’s worst drought in decades, Morocco’s water reserves show signs of improvement, but climate change and rising demand for water pose challenges for the future.
Morocco’s water resources have suffered from severe droughts and water scarcity over the years, and climate change has exacerbated the situation. However, following a recovery in rainfall this year, the filling rate of dams across the country has reached nearly 33%, equivalent to 5.2 billion cubic meters as of February 20. The rate remains mostly stable compared to the same period last year, with some regions seeing a more significant recovery in water reserves. In the Marrakech-Safi region, for instance, water reserves reached 97.3 million cubic meters, with a filling rate of almost 49%, up from 36% a year ago.
The director-general of hydraulics quoted in local media reports says that the filling rate in February 2022 stood at precisely 33%, with water reserves equivalent to 5.3 billion cubic meters. Despite the recovery in water reserves, some regions remain vulnerable to drought, and the filling rate varies widely depending on regions.
In response to the threat of water scarcity, Morocco is exploring desalination as a solution. This process is energy-intensive, which poses a challenge for the country that relies heavily on imported energy to meet 90% of its energy needs. Nevertheless, Morocco hopes to boost its water resources by turning to unconventional sources, such as seawater desalination, which is an energy-intensive process. With such measures, the country aims to ensure water stability by 2030 and meet its drinking water, agricultural, and tourism demands.
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