Towards a new era of management in Morocco: A theoretical analysis and perspectives of non-conventional water resources

Abstract

Morocco faces intense pressure on its water resources, exacerbated by climate change and growing water demand. Traditional approaches focused on demand management have shown their limits in addressing the country’s structural water stress. In this context, integrating non-conventional water resources - namely seawater desalination and treated wastewater reuse - has emerged as an essential strategy to increase the nation’s water supply.

This paper is grounded in the theoretical framework of weak sustainability, which holds that technological progress can offset the depletion of natural resources by enhancing the availability of alternative forms of capital.

The study adopts a twofold approach: (i) a review of several successful international experiences in mobilizing non-conventional water (notably in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia); (ii) an assessment of Morocco’s own policies and projects in the fields of desalination and wastewater reuse. The findings indicate that technical solutions based on non-conventional resources can effectively complement traditional water sources and mitigate water deficits. Internationally, arid countries such as Saudi Arabia and coastal regions like Spain have significantly increased their water supply via desalination, while others, including Singapore and California, have developed advanced wastewater reuse programs. In Morocco, a “new era” of water supply management has begun with the launch of major desalination projects (for instance, the Agadir-Chtouka plant) and the installation of tertiary treatment facilities for wastewater reuse (notably in Agadir, Marrakech, Oujda, etc.). However, the uptake of these resources remains below national targets: for example, in 2017 only 9% of treated urban wastewater was being recycled, far short of the 2030 goal of 300 million m3 per year. Key obstacles are both financial (high investment costs requiring public-private partnerships) and institutional.         

In conclusion, tapping into non-conventional water resources is a critical pillar for achieving water security in Morocco. Nevertheless, its success will depend on an enabling institutional framework, sustained financing, and user acceptance of these alternative water resources.

JEL Classification : Q25, Q28, O13

Paper type: Theoretical Research