Casablanca Grapples with Water Crisis: Nightly Cuts and Closures Implemented
Casablanca, Morocco – As Morocco faces its sixth consecutive year of severe drought, the bustling metropolis of Casablanca is implementing increasingly stringent measures to combat its escalating water crisis. These measures, aimed at mitigating the strain on dwindling water resources, are impacting residents and businesses alike.
Nightly water cuts have become the new normal in several districts. Residents in Douar and Ouled Abbou are experiencing nightly water shutoffs from midnight to 6:00 am, as reported by “Al Maa Dialna,” a news website specializing in water issues and affiliated with the Ministry of Equipment and Water. Similar measures have been enacted in the Berrechid province and its surrounding areas, with water cuts lasting from 9:00 pm to 12:00 pm the following day.
These nightly interruptions are part of a broader strategy to curb water consumption during peak hours and ensure a more sustainable supply throughout the day. The situation underscores the severity of the water crisis gripping Morocco, a country already facing significant water stress. According to the World Resources Institute, Morocco ranks among the top 17 countries experiencing extremely high water stress, with water withdrawals exceeding 80% of available supplies.
In addition to the nightly cuts, Casablanca has reinstated a controversial measure requiring public bathhouses (hammams) and car washes to close for three days a week. This decision, initially implemented in January 2024 and temporarily relaxed in April, has been met with mixed reactions. While acknowledging the urgent need for water conservation, some argue that the closures disproportionately impact the livelihoods of those employed in these sectors.
Nabila Rmili, President of the Casablanca City Council, has urged citizens to adopt mindful water consumption habits to avoid complete outages. She emphasized the importance of diversifying water sources, highlighting the ongoing efforts to transfer water from the Sebou River basin and utilize desalinated water from the new plant in El Jadida.
These measures, while disruptive, are a stark reminder of the growing urgency of the water crisis in Morocco and the need for collective action. The situation in Casablanca highlights the challenges faced by many countries grappling with drought and water scarcity, underscoring the importance of sustainable water management practices and responsible consumption to ensure water security for all.
