Morocco Restricts Hammam Operations Amid Water Crisis

Hammams and spas, as well as car washes will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, sources tell the site Alyaoum24, adding that these establishments will be open the other days of the week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. "The professional association of public bath owners has informed us of the closure decision, which came into effect this morning, Monday, January 22, 2024," said a public bath manager in Beni Mellal.

This measure comes in addition to those already taken by the authorities to rationalize water consumption in a context of severe drought and water stress. In a circular to governors and prefects, the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, asked for regular updating of the water consumption map in order to regulate the water pressure in certain neighborhoods if necessary. He also called for awareness campaigns on the importance of water rationalization during this period.

Laftit also instructed the governors and prefects to prohibit the watering of green spaces and public gardens, the cleaning of roads and public squares with water, the filling of public and private swimming pools more than once a year, and the cultivation of fruits or vegetables consuming large quantities of water.