Morocco Launches $5.6 Billion Wastewater Treatment Program
Speaking during an oral question session at the House of Councilors on Tuesday, Laftit outlined the ambitious 2025-2034 program that will tackle one of Morocco's most pressing environmental challenges.
The minister indicated that the program includes 389 projects already underway or starting soon, plus 694 new projects focusing on sewage networks and treatment plants.
The government is set to fast-track urban projects, completing them by 2029 instead of the original 2034 deadline, with the goal to free up resources to focus on rural areas afterward.
'We aim to connect 90% of urban areas and 80% of rural areas to liquid sanitation networks,' Laftit said.
The program also has ambitious targets of reducing pollution by more than 80%.
The North African country's strategy has already allocated over MAD 48 billion ($ 5.33 billion) for wastewater projects through the end of 2024, completing MAD 25 billion ($ 2.78 billion) worth of projects, while the remaining MAD 23 billion ($ 2.55 billion) is still in progress or starting.
The state contributed more than MAD 17 billion ($ 1.89 billion) through the Liquid and Solid Sanitation Fund, with MAD 11 billion ($ 1.22 billion) already mobilized. The Interior Ministry added over MAD 3 billion ($ 333.58 million) through territorial communities' share of value-added tax.
Laftit outlined that the program has already equipped 223 cities and urban centers out of 385 with sanitation networks and wastewater treatment plants.
The already established facilities serve 21 million people, bringing Morocco to an 84% national connection rate.
Meanwhile, work continues in 72 additional cities and centers, while the government has scheduled 90 new cities and centers for the 2025-2034 period.
In rural areas, Morocco's ambitious program has equipped 43 rural centers with sewage networks and treatment plants, benefiting 105,000 people. Construction started in 170 centers serving 442,000 people, with plans to reach 1,207 rural centers by 2040.
Morocco's water reuse has seen significant improvement, with 53 million cubic meters of treated wastewater in 2024, which was used to irrigate 30 golf courses and green spaces in 16 communities, in addition to supporting six industrial projects.
New projects under construction will add 18 golf courses and serve 40 territorial communities. By 2040, Morocco plans to reuse 537 million cubic meters of treated wastewater annually.
Laftit described the efforts as part of a comprehensive development vision that considers environmental and social dimensions, aiming to achieve territorial justice and better water resource management amid growing pressing climate challenges.
The massive investment reflects Morocco's commitment to addressing water scarcity and environmental protection while supporting economic development across urban and rural areas. Tags: wastewater managementwastewater treatmentWater challenges
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