Dams: The situation is manageable but caution remains essential
A marked improvement in the filling rate of the dams can be observed. The last rainfall have had positive effects on the situation of the main dams as well as on the water table and groundwater in the various regions.
“The occupancy rate at the national level exceeds 30%, instead of a rate of 23% at the beginning of this month of December. This represents a significant improvement”, has just confirmed Nizar Baraka, Minister of Water and Equipment.
Indeed, as of Tuesday, December 20, the filling rate of all the dams was 31% versus 34% during the same period last year, according to the daily situation published by the General Directorate of Water. Thus, the reserves of all the dams in the Kingdom total nearly 5 billion cubic meters (exactly 4.99 billion) versus 5.5 billion cubic meters recorded on December 20, 2021.
As of today, around twenty dams are half full, and display a filling rate that far exceeds 50%. This marked improvement in reservoirs was confirmed during the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Program (2020-2027), held on December 20. This meeting was an opportunity to “present the situation of dams and water resources following the last rains which fostered an inflow of 1.7 billion cubic meters and therefore a filling rate of more than 30%”, said the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka.
The meeting of the Steering Committee also made it possible to dwell on the challenges of the green investment program recently presented by the OCP Group to the Sovereign. Eventually, this program will produce 560 million cubic meters from desalination, a good portion of which will meet the drinking water needs of certain cities as well as the irrigation needs in certain regions. The alternative presented by treated wastewater as well as the program to build small hillside dams (in particular 200 small dams over the 2024-2027 period) plead in favor of new capacities and greater water reservoirs in the years to come. One thing is certain, Morocco has serious challenges to meet in terms of water management, which requires raising the awareness of households, farmers, and industrialists, among other actors, as to the preciousness of the water resources. Vigilance is therefore required at all levels and in all regions.
Amin RBOUB
