Morocco has approved a US $65M budget to improve drinking water supply in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.
The funding which has been validated by the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council will be mobilised in large part from the general budget granted by the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior. Another part will be granted by the General Directorate of Territorial Communities. The Regional Council is contributing 110.8 million Moroccan dirhams, or 10.7 million euros.
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The funds are intended to improve the supply of drinking water in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region over the next two years. In this northern region of Morocco, the local authorities will join forces with the National Office of Water and Electricity (ONEE) to install 29 individual connection centres in the provinces of Chefchaouen, Ouezzane, Tétouan, Fahs-Anjra and Larache.
Connection centres will also be installed in 209 douars (small villages). At the same time, Onee will develop water points in 217 douars in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region. These facilities will be built as part of the National Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation Programme (PNAEPI) 2020-2027. This initiative of the Moroccan government aims to accelerate investments in order to strengthen the supply of drinking water and irrigation in the areas most affected by the water stress that this North African kingdom is currently experiencing.
In addition to exploiting surface and groundwater resources, the Moroccan government is focusing on non-conventional water resources, including the reuse of treated wastewater and the desalination of sea water, with projects underway across the kingdom. The overall cost of the PNAEPI is estimated at US $11.2bn.
