Northern Morocco under pressure: the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region on alert

The northern region of Morocco, particularly the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, although it records the highest rainfall and a high dam filling rate, is facing increasing water stress. Due to repeated droughts, some areas are already feeling the threat of a lack of drinking water in the near future.

Decrease in rainfall and impact on dams

According to the data of the Loukkos Water Basin Agency, the hydrological year 2023-2024 recorded a rainfall deficit of 10% in all areas under its jurisdiction. This decrease directly affected the reserves of the dams, where a 51% reduction in annual inflows was observed. Currently, the water reserves in these dams amount to 885 million cubic meters, which is a filling rate of 51%.

Despite this water stress, the dams continue to supply the region’s main cities with drinking water and meet the water needs of the entire region. However, local authorities are concerned about the ability to maintain this balance if droughts persist.

Emergency measures put in place

Faced with this situation, the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency has implemented several urgent measures to guarantee the supply of drinking water to the cities of Tangier and Al Hoceima, the most affected by this phenomenon.

One of the major projects concerns the transfer of water from the Oued El Makhazine dam to the Dar Khrofa dam, in order to secure the supply of drinking water to the greater Tangier hub. Studies are also underway for the construction of a seawater desalination plant in Tangier, as well as the installation of floating pumps on the Dar Khrofa and Khroub dams to exploit the lower layers of water.

Wastewater recycling and rural resource management

Another key focus of the initiatives is the recycling of treated wastewater to irrigate green spaces and golf courses, thereby reducing pressure on freshwater resources. In addition, the share of water reserved for irrigation in some areas, such as the Dar Khrofa irrigated area, has been reduced from 60 to 22 million cubic meters for the 2023-2024 agricultural season.

In the Al Hoceima region, work on the Ghiss Dam is progressing, with a completion rate of 99%. Once completed, the dam will increase the supply of drinking and irrigation water for the entire province. In addition, two wells in Imzouren have been connected to alleviate the water deficit in the Al Hoceima system, while the city’s seawater desalination plant will see its capacity increase from 6.3 to 8 million cubic meters per year.

Search for new resources in rural areas

The rural world, particularly remote villages without drinking water networks, is not left out. The agency is banking on prospecting new groundwater resources through the creation of exploratory wells. In 2024, 60 new wells will be drilled in the most affected areas, with a budget of 5.6 million dirhams. An initiative that adds to the 64 exploratory wells and 32 exploitation wells already built in 2022 at a cost of 12 million dirhams.

With more than 190 wells drilled in the past three years, the agency’s efforts have yielded positive results, helping to alleviate the effects of water stress for many rural communities.

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