US $350M committed to Morocco’s National Water Plan

The World Bank has approved a US $350M results-based financing programme to support Morocco in its National Programme for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation, which is part of the 30-year National Water Plan.

The programme, launched in 2020, aims to improve water security by accelerating investments in the water sector and enhancing the resilience of drinking water supply and irrigation. Morocco faces significant water scarcity and is considered a climate hotspot, making the need for urgent action critical.

The country is approaching the threshold of absolute water scarcity, set at 500 cubic meters per person per year by 2030. Climate change is expected to worsen the situation, posing continuous challenges to Morocco’s water security.

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Strategic pillars

The World Bank’s programme is designed to support Morocco’s Country Climate and Development Report, which was published in October 2022. It will focus on three synergistic strategic pillars: Strengthening water sector governance: This will involve protecting groundwater resources, improving the quality and availability of water-related information, supporting the performance of river basin agencies, and developing water data information systems and mandatory reporting by multi-service operators.

The programme will work to enhance climate resilience in the water sector through the development of a financial model and the adoption of a financial sustainability action plan. Pricing strategies for specific sub-sectors will be informed by these efforts, and a public awareness campaign on the importance of water conservation will be developed. Additionally, water loss reduction plans in distribution networks will be carried out.

The World Bank aims to help boost desalination and the use of treated wastewater, which are becoming increasingly important for augmenting Morocco’s water resources. The programme seeks to save 25 million m3 of potable water in distribution water supply networks, equivalent to the annual consumption in El Jadida and Sidi Bennour provinces, and make 52 million m3 of treated wastewater available for reuse.

Jesko Hentschel, the World Bank’s country director for the Maghreb and Malta, emphasized the importance of providing access to natural resources, particularly water, while preserving them for building a sustainable future in Morocco. The programme aligns with the updating and adoption of the National Water Plan, which outlines the country’s 30-year vision for the water sector.

By implementing these strategies, the World Bank aims to reinforce water security for all in Morocco and support the country’s efforts to address water scarcity, climate change, and water management challenges.