Editorial – Cause for alarm

We act as if nothing is wrong, but the situation is serious, to say the least. Several of the country’s largest dams are emptying. Some are almost dry. This is the case for the El Massira dam, which supplies the Casablanca metropolitan area. It is now only 4% full, which is cause for alarm.

Yes, when you turn on the tap, water flows, but for how long? Of course, and fortunately, there are disparities between regions. While some are thirsty, others can still count on fairly well-stocked reservoirs.
With water highways, the deficit in some areas could be alleviated. The fact remains that the national water supply is steadily declining. Between early July and early August 2025, the dam fill rate dropped two points, from 37.4% to 35.3%. Last April, this fill rate stood at 49.44%. Month after month, this precious resource is becoming increasingly scarce. If the weather is not favorable during the next rainy season, allowing stocks to be replenished, we will still be on red alert, with all that this implies for agriculture, employment, and the economy as a whole, and restrictions will be imposed. The wake-up call could be brutal.     

While waiting for seawater desalination projects to become fully operational, the watchword should be “rationalization ”. But before that, there is an urgent need to raise awareness on a large scale about the seriousness of what we are experiencing. Gardens continue to be watered abundantly, cars are washed with wasteful hoses, private swimming pools are filled… Farmers continue to opt for water-intensive export crops.

The longer the water crisis is delayed, the better. However, it is not certain that everyone understands this …