Morocco Faces Critical Water Shortage as Climate Change Threatens 80% of Resources

The CESE’s observations testify to the urgency of the issue. Indeed, it notes that according to international studies, climate change could cause the disappearance of 80% of the available water resources in the Kingdom in the next 25 years.

According to the findings, the abusive use is at the origin of this threat. However, despite the extreme gravity of the situation, the overexploitation of water resources, in particular of groundwater, is intensifying, disregarding the authorizations imposed by law. Yet, the public authorities are unable to put in place effective control measures, indicates Hespress.

As proof, the situation is worsening over the years without any solution being found. Indeed, currently, the Kingdom’s water resources are estimated at less than 650 m3/inhabitant/year, while they were 2500 m3 in 1960. Worse, this trend should continue to worsen to reach less than 500 m3 by 2030, the same source warns.

Faced with the situation, the CESE proposes actions based on three components: awareness-raising, institutional and regulatory measures, as well as a profound reform of the national and local pricing of water and liquid sanitation and wastewater treatment services.

The Kingdom must make water security a priority for Morocco, as the threat it represents can spread and lead to social instability and exacerbate territorial inequalities, the same source indicates.