Withholdings up more than 35%
Water : The water situation in Morocco is experiencing a marked improvement with a filling rate of 75.86% compared to only 40.18% at the same period last year, a rebound of 35.68 points.
The filling rate of dams has improved significantly, standing at 75.86% to date, compared to 40.18% compared to the same period a year earlier, a rebound of 35.68 points. This was stated on Tuesday by the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka. During a meeting of the Infrastructure, Energy, Mines and Environment Committee in the House of Representatives on the water situation, the minister specified that dam reservoirs amounted, as of April 23, 2026, to approximately 13 billion m3. The dam devastation operations have made it possible to increase storage capacities, generating a gain of between 5 and 7% of resources, whereas they previously lost between 15 and 20% of their capacity. Regarding the progress and prospects of hydraulic infrastructure projects, 156 large dams have been built for a total capacity of 20.8 billion m3, in addition to 150 small and medium dams.
Added to this are 18 water transfer works and 17 seawater desalination stations, with an overall production capacity reaching 410 million m3, while 4 stations are under construction with a capacity of 447 million m3 per year, and 11 projects are planned, including 8 new stations and 3 extension projects. The minister reported the completion of the emergency phase of the interconnection project between the Sebou and Bouregreg basins, at a cost of 6 billion dirhams, in addition to the finalization of the interconnection between the Oued El Makhazine and Dar Khrofa dams. Regarding drinking water supply projects in rural areas, their completion is planned for 2027 for the benefit of 767 rural centers at a cost of 5.272 billion dirhams, and 22,100 douars for an amount of 21.987 billion dirhams with the aim of guaranteeing the supply of drinking water to all municipalities and douars.
Regarding the progress of projects related to the desalination of seawater and brackish water via mobile stations, 224 mobile units have been acquired, with a total flow rate of 1,313 liters per second, at a cost of 2.35 billion dirhams, of which 158 are currently in operation. Referring to the flood protection strategy and its deployment in the water sector, the minister announced the launch of the generalization of flood early warning systems for the period 2026-2028, adding that this initiative aims to set up an integrated national alert system, to strengthen the resilience of territories and to ensure the protection of populations, infrastructure and economic activities against risks.
