Rabat Hammam Owners Urge Reopening After Recent Rains Boost Water Reserves

Considering that the heavy rains that have recently hit Morocco have contributed to the improvement of the country’s water resources, the professionals of the hammams in Rabat are asking the Wali to lift the closure measure of these establishments. These rains have allowed an increase in the stock of dams of more than one and a half billion cubic meters, reaching a filling rate of more than 34%, says the National Federation of Associations of Traditional Hammam and Shower Owners and Operators, quoted by the daily Al Akhbar.

As for the Bouregreg dam, it has exceeded a filling rate of 50%, the organization points out, adding that the maintenance of the hammam closure measure is detrimental to the owners of these establishments, some of whom are threatened with eviction and others face legal proceedings. Overwhelmed by this situation, the hammam professionals are asking the Wali of Rabat to take urgent measures to support the sector and help them restart their activities.

The hammam professionals in Rabat deplore that the closure measure continues to be in effect only in the capital, while it has been lifted in the other cities of the kingdom, including those in the region (Salé, Témara and Kenitra), after the improvement of water resources. To recall, the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, had sent a circular to the Walis and Governors, asking them to take measures to ration drinking water, which led to the closure of hammams and car wash stations.