Project description

Title: Protecting water resources
Client: Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
Country: Marocco
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment
Overall term: 1993 to 2011

Context

Demographic and economic developments in conjunction with shortcomings in water resources management in Morocco are endangering the country’s drinking water resources. To counter this threat, Morocco has adopted a new body of water law and started reorienting its water system toward decentralisation, i.e., transferring the management of water catchment areas to water basin agencies (ABH), and toward integrated water resources management. 

These objectives are emphasised in the National Environmental Action Plan (PANE) and in the National Water Plan now being drafted.

Objective

The objective of the project is to reform key water policy elements and the responsible institutions in the sector according to the principles of sustainable water resources management.

Approach

In the scope of the project to protect drinking water resources, at the national level GTZ supports the General Directorate for Water Resources in shaping the framework conditions for sustainable water resources management.

• At regional and local levels, GTZ supports the Marrakech-based water basin agency responsible for the Tensift river basin in establishing pilot water protection areas.
• At the national level, the project works to support Moroccan authorities in their efforts to interlink regional planning, environmental protection and water management and to increase the coordination capacity of the ministry.

Through its Marrakech regional component, the project contributes to decentralisation. In addition, by promoting dialogue between the government, the private sector and civil society, the project contributes to good governance.

Results achieved so far

Initial results are now at hand concerning the establishment of a water protection area in the Tensift river basin (water catchment for Sidi Mokhtar).

Further information

• Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire, de l’Eau et de l’Environnement
  www.minenv.gov.ma