Morocco Implements Urgent Water Conservation Measures Amid Severe Shortage

The filling rate of Morocco’s dams is very low in the majority of water basins and the productivity of groundwater resources is very insufficient, the Ministry of the Interior warned in a note addressed to all regional walis and governors of prefectures, provinces and district prefectures.

Faced with this situation, these officials have been instructed to order their relevant services to implement the necessary actions for a rational management of water resources and to ensure the supply of drinking water to the population.

Among the urgent actions, the document specifies: the application of restrictions on the flow rates of water distributed to users and the prohibition of watering green spaces and golf courses from conventional water (drinking water, surface water or groundwater). Regional services must prohibit washing on public roads and squares using drinking water.

The Interior also requires the filling of public and private swimming pools once a year. These pools must be equipped with a recycling system. In addition, the use of drinking water for washing vehicles and equipment is prohibited, as is the illegal abstraction of water from boreholes, wells, springs, watercourses and water transport canals.