Moroccan Water Crisis: Activists Demand Urgent Infrastructure Overhaul as Health Concerns Rise

"The worrying image of the deterioration of water quality in Moroccan cities is attributable to the treatment method, as well as the aging water distribution infrastructure in households," said the president of the Oxygen Association for the Environment and Health. According to him, the situation, marked by strong pressure on water demand, "could be the cause of the observed impact on treatment". However, this cannot justify the continuation of the action of the competent authorities in an unacceptable manner, he stressed, also stating that the infrastructure responsible for the transport of drinking water "is also in a state of dilapidation due to its age". He calls for "its renewal".

"Negligence in this area directly affects the health of citizens, particularly through the increased risk of chronic diseases," he warned. For an environmental expert and president of the Al Manara Ecological Association for Development and Climate, the problem of water quality in Moroccan cities "is very unlikely, or even totally unfounded". According to his explanations, Rabat is supplied with water from the Sebou River, which is transported and treated with the addition of a certain amount of chlorine to eliminate the usual bacteria during the treatment process, which become more resistant during the summer. This water "could be the cause of citizens’ complaints, although it is perfectly healthy, citizens simply being used to another water than that of the Sebou River," said the environmental expert.

According to sources contacted by Hespress, the National Office of Drinking Water says it is "currently managing drinking water in certain designated cities and cannot be held responsible for the quality of water in other cities, particularly the capital Rabat, which falls under the jurisdiction of regional companies".