Casablanca Region Faces Water Shortages as Residents Report Frequent Cuts

For a few days now, drinking water has become scarce in several cities like Had Soualem, Sidi Rahal, Bir Jdid and their surroundings, as well as Sidi Bennour and El Jadida. "The repeated cuts or reduction in flow have started a few days ago and continue three days a week, without any explanation yet as to the reasons for this interruption," denounce residents of Had Soualem to Al3omk. These repeated cuts force the inhabitants of this commune to make water reserves for their needs, pending a return to normal of the situation.

For its part, the Autonomous Agency for Water and Electricity Distribution of Chaouia has announced the implementation of water cut measures until the situation improves, calling on the population to rationalize water use. The Agency had warned that it would cut off water from the production station of the Oum Er-Rbia water company, the main supplier of the Bir Jdid region and surrounding areas, due to the drop in water level at the Sidi Saïd Maâchou dam. The same situation is observed in El Jadida and its surroundings where the water distribution agency has interrupted the water supply for a few days due to low flow.

These repeated cuts are due to the drop in water levels in the dams in the Casablanca-Settat region, such as the Al Massira dam, due to the severe drought that has been affecting the kingdom for a few years. To address the situation, the authorities in the region have decided to build a large seawater desalination plant. Costing 6.5 billion dirhams, the work was launched in June by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan. This station, located in the Bir Jdid region, under the province of El Jadida, should be operational in 2026 and produce up to 300 million cubic meters of water per year. It will help fill the water deficit affecting the Casablanca-Settat region and its surroundings.