Combatting Water Pollution: SRM Fès-Meknès Enhances Treatment of Olive Mill Wastewater
SRM Fès-Meknès Steps Up Efforts to Combat Water Pollution Caused by Olive Oil Production Waste
The Regional Multi-Service Company (SRM) Fès-Meknès continues its commitment to protecting water resources and fighting pollution caused by "margines," a liquid waste generated from olive oil production. This initiative is being conducted under the supervision of the wali (governor) of the Fès-Meknès region, as part of a collaborative mobilization involving various relevant institutions.
The project is part of a partnership agreement that brings together several ministries and public bodies, including the Ministries of Interior, Equipment and Water, Agriculture, as well as the Energy Transition and Sustainable Development sector. The Sebou Hydraulic Basin Agency is also participating in this initiative, which aims to enhance the coordination of interventions and safeguard water resources.
To this end, SRM Fès-Meknès has constructed and equipped several basins for the collection and treatment of margines. In the Sefrou province, these facilities boast a combined annual capacity of 141,000 cubic meters, divided between 76,000 cubic meters in Sefrou and 65,000 cubic meters in El Menzel.
Additional basins have been established in Fès, Taounate, and Moulay Yacoub, increasing the total capacity of the facilities to 542,400 cubic meters across the region. These resources aid in improving the management of margines and mitigates the risks associated with their uncontrolled discharge into the natural environment.
Beyond infrastructure development, SRM Fès-Meknès is also responsible for transporting margines to designated treatment sites to ensure they are managed under appropriate conditions. This approach specifically targets the protection of the Sebou River and groundwater, while also reducing the pollution impacts during the olive milling season.
Through this project, the various partners aim to prioritize a preventive and sustainable approach. The overarching goal is to encourage professionals within the olive oil sector to adopt more responsible practices that respect the environment and contribute to the preservation of natural resources for future generations.
