2026 began with unexpected rains resulting in a spectacular improvement in the storage levels of the kingdom’s dams, especially those in the northern and central regions. No one could have imagined that this overall rate would reach 68.5% in the first week of February 2026, after seven consecutive years of gradual reserve decline. This situation represents 1.4 billion cubic meters stored, an improvement of 147% in one year during almost only two months.
However, the report from Global Water Bankruptcy scientists dated 20/01/26 still lists the kingdom as water bankrupt. National actors and experts are equally convinced.
The Water Risk Atlas map also shows that among the areas affected by this shortage are the most populated, or with big industrial parks, or regions with intense agricultural activity, not just the Moroccan Sahara. In light of this situation, a strategy is required, not just a reaction from all the institutions involved: Ministère de l’Equipement et de l’Eau, Ministère de l’Agriculture , de la Pêche Maritime, du Développement Rural et des Eaux et Forêts ,@Ministère de l’Industrie et du Commerce – Maroc , Ministère de la transition Énergétique et du Développement Durable for:
Managing structural unbalance since we consume faster than we receive.
Allowing sufficient time for the recovery of groundwater .
Increase natural storage areas.
Continue desalination plants program
Build other dams in the northern areas.
Continue the interconnection between the kingdom’s basins to connect north to south zones.
Rationalize resources intended for agriculture.
Treat wastewater and reuse it in industrial processes, hotels, and agriculture. There is significant potential on it, knowing that over 1.2 billion m³ are discharged into the sea.
This is an opportunity to mention and praise the initiatives undertaken by OCP Green Water , implementing a strategy to add 630 million m³ by 2030 and achieve an annual production of 1 billion m³.
A budget of 6 billion MAD has been raised for this purpose. This strategy, certainly, accompanies industrial projects ambitious initiatives already implemented such as the production of battery cathodes for electric vehicles, uranium extraction from phosphate, increasing the production capacity of phosphate products on new industrial parks like Mzinda, etc.
Not to mention the kingdom’s commitment to the production of green hydrogen, green ammonia, growing infrastructures like hotels, data centers as well.
It’s time from crisis to recovery
Map from Water risk Atlas, red zone exposed at high risk. All North Africa, south Europe and Middle East are concerned
By : Abdellatif CHELLAI , Water BU Director
