Morocco’s water resources are increasingly threatened by rising consumption, pollution and climate change. Intensively irrigated agriculture in particular has led to sometimes dramatic overuse of the groundwater resources in many regions. Furthermore, only about 13 % of wastewater is currently treated. This not only causes health risks, it also imposes considerable burdens on the environment and the coastal waters, thus hampering the development of tourism.

To prevent overuse and to guarantee a sustainable water supply for future generations, it is crucial that the management of water resources should be decentralised and responsive to people’s local needs. The water law of 1995 marked the beginning of a change in political thinking. It sets out the fundamental reorientation of the water sector and of Morocco’s legislation on water. Regional water management agencies (Agences de Bassins Hydrauliques, ABH) covering the natural catchment areas play a key role here. The agencies are independent administrations financed both by state funds and by levies and fees from water consumers.

The integrated water resource management programme (Appui à la gestion intégrée de ressources en eau – AGIRE) provides comprehensive support for the Moroccan State Secretariat for Water and the Environment, and for the water management agencies in introducing and implementing integrated management of water resources. The overall concept of the project is closely linked with the Moroccan national development plan for the water sector. The activities focus on improving water management planning, systems for monitoring and controlling water use, groundwater protection, wastewater recycling and sustainable rainwater management. To ensure that the water supply takes into account the needs of the various users and that the water is distributed equitably, the population is involved more closely in the decision-making processes.

The project builds on many years of German-Moroccan cooperation in the water sector. Successes include not only the sector reform that has already commenced but also improvements in the drinking water supply and capacity building in the public authorities.

The technical cooperation is also closely coordinated with the German-Moroccan financial cooperation. Funds from KfW Entwicklungsbank are earmarked for improvements in the drinking water supply in rural areas, for wastewater management, in cooperation with the National Office of Potable Water (ONEP), and for better irrigation systems.

GIZ also cooperates with the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) on creating hydrogeological models in the three partner regions of the river basins Sousse-Massa-Draâ, Tensift and Oum Er-Rbia.