Water Highway: A Second Phase to Connect Bouregreg to Oum Errabiâ

Morocco Advances Water Highway Project to Optimize Water Resource Distribution

Morocco is moving forward with its water highway project aimed at improving the distribution of water resources across regions and securing drinking water supply. During a session with the House of Representatives, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, announced the launch next year of the second phase of the hydraulic basin interconnection project, which will link the Bouregreg basin to the Oum Er-Rbia basin.

Responding to an oral question regarding his department’s strategy for ensuring water security and preventing flood risks, the minister highlighted that the first phase of the water transfer between the Sebou and Bouregreg basins has already been completed. The next step will transfer nearly 8 million cubic meters of water to the Oum Er-Rbia basin, thereby enhancing drinking water supply and supporting food security.

This interconnection is part of a national strategy aimed at addressing the territorial imbalances in the distribution of water resources, exacerbated by climate change. Nizar Baraka pointed out that 53% of precipitation is concentrated in only 7% of the national territory, underscoring the need to better mobilize and distribute the available resources.

The minister further emphasized that this strategy aligns with the High Royal Guidelines calling for a new generation of major strategies, particularly in the field of water security. It takes into account the increasing frequency of droughts, floods, rising temperatures, irregular precipitation, and the overexploitation of aquifers in certain regions.

Beyond the interconnection of basins, the national program focuses on enhancing storage capacity. In this regard, work is ongoing on the construction of 17 large dams, which will collectively have a capacity of 5.4 billion cubic meters. Additionally, six medium-sized dams are under construction, and three others are scheduled to be built. The minister also reported the initiation of 12 new dams, expected to add an additional capacity of 4.9 billion cubic meters. The goal is to increase the total storage capacity to 27 billion cubic meters by 2031.