Moroccan Authorities Crack Down on Illegal Water Diversion Amid Drought Crisis

Faced with the increase in cases of water theft from the Oum Rabia River irrigation system, located near the Darouat dam desalination plant, in violation of the measures put in place to rationalize water during this period of severe drought and water shortage, the local authorities, accompanied by auxiliary forces and the Royal Gendarmerie, carried out a raid along the river.

On site, the authorities were able to observe that the facilities used to supply drinking water to the provinces of Berrechid, El Jadida and Safi had been vandalized to divert the water using motors and pumps. These devices, as well as dozens of pipes, were seized. The operation continued in the Ben Maachou Oulad Abbou region where several installations were also destroyed.

This intervention by the regional authorities follows complaints from residents who reported the theft of water by farmers to irrigate their fields, with the complicity of some elected officials.