Morocco’s Office National de l’Électricité et de l’Eau (ONEE) has hired Waman Consulting for 1.23 million dirhams to help create a national plan to protect the country’s water supplies.
The move comes as Morocco faces its worst drought in more than 40 years. Many dams across the country have been less than a quarter full in recent years, forcing the government to speed up its National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation (PNAEPI) 2020–2027. The program, originally set at 115 billion dirhams, has been increased to 143 billion dirhams to deal with the urgent effects of climate change.
ONEE says water resources are under growing pressure from cities, industry, farming, and accidental pollution. Climate change is making the problem worse, harming water quality and overusing supplies, putting Morocco’s drinking water at risk.
Waman Consulting’s job is to take ONEE’s previous research and turn it into a practical, usable plan. In recent years, ONEE completed around ten large studies of rivers, dams, and underground water, finding the most vulnerable areas and identifying early protection steps.
The new strategy will create a clear plan for all water sources. This includes traditional sources like rivers, dams, wells, and springs, and non-traditional ones like seawater for desalination plants. The plan will cover what to do in the short, medium, and long term.
A key part of the plan is a digital database that will bring together all information about water sources, including maps, technical data, and environmental records. This system will track water quality in real time, help predict risks like pollution or drought, and support quick decisions during emergencies.
The strategy will also focus on the most vulnerable water sources first. Mapping out areas that supply water, pollution risks, and high-risk zones will guide investments to protect the most critical sites. ONEE will also create guidelines for best practices, using lessons from other parts of Morocco and the world.
Smart monitoring systems will be installed at sensitive sites to provide real-time alerts for pollution, floods, or long dry periods. The plan also strengthens coordination between local authorities, water agencies, and businesses, with dashboards and monitoring tools to keep track of progress.
Water quality is a big concern. In some farming areas like Souss-Massa and Gharb, high nitrate levels have made underground water unsafe without costly treatment. Industrial pollution and accidental chemical spills are another risk. Along the coast, pumping too much water has caused seawater to seep into freshwater aquifers, which can’t be easily reversed.
The plan also focuses on non-traditional water sources. Desalination plants, including the one in Casablanca, need protection from pollution and oil spills. Treated wastewater will be reused for irrigation, saving clean water for people to drink.
The digital database is part of a push toward “smart water management.” Sensors at pumping stations will help detect leaks and losses, which in some areas can reach 30%. The system will allow regional agencies to share data and respond quickly during crises.
Waman Consulting, founded in 2005, has a team of 75 specialists and has completed more than 200 projects in natural resource management and environmental work. They will provide technical advice, support project implementation, and train ONEE staff to make sure the tools are used effectively.
