Olive Oil Industry Pollutes Moroccan River, Threatening Local Environment and Livelihoods

Although industrial activity is important for the economy of Taourirt, it contributes to the pollution of the "Za wadi" valley, which is the main source of water for animals and agriculture in the Taourirt region, reports France24, with images filmed in October 2020 to support it. We can see the color of the waters of the Za wadi turning black, with a white foam, caused by the discharges of the factories, discharged into the river without treatment.

Through a statement published on September 27, 2020, the environmental association "Joudna" denounced the indifference of the local authorities in the face of this scourge, indicating that the consequences of this situation also affect the neighboring towns and villages, such as Machraa Hammadi, Meloui, Berkan Zayou and Chouihia. In addition, the biologist and resident of Taourirt, Houssem, indicated that the factory discharges mainly contain phenol, biological oxygen and COD, thus causing the disappearance of some species, and above all the increase in the number of respiratory and skin diseases in the city.

Faced with the situation, a campaign has been launched on social networks since September, by several young people in the region, in order to alert the authorities to the danger of this ecological disaster on the city and the entire eastern region of the country.