Ensuring water supply for a drought-prone citrus producer

Like much of Morocco, the most pressing challenge facing the Souss Massa region today is water scarcity. Six consecutive years of drought and record-breaking heat waves have intensified pressure on water resources. The region’s policymakers have had to navigate the challenge of ensuring adequate water supply for businesses, households and farms despite tough environmental conditions.

“It all comes down to proactive and strategic management of the region’s fresh water resources,” says Rachid Boukhenfer, vice president in charge of economic development at Souss Massa’s regional council.

Efficient and sustainable water use is a strategic imperative for Souss Massa in light of the integral role that agriculture plays in buttressing the regional economy. The sector employs around half of the region’s workforce and is a significant driver of export earnings.

“The Souss Massa region is a major agricultural hub in Morocco, known for its production of vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

“Despite repeated years of drought, the region has maintained its leading role in supplying both national and international markets for early fruits and citrus production, with over 70% of national citrus exports,” Boukhenfer says.

“We have been able to achieve efficient water use due to our emphasis on recycling and reuse, which takes the pressure off our freshwater resources. The M’zar wastewater treatment plant of Greater Agadir has been central to our success,” he adds.

Built in 2002 on the site of the dunes of M’zar in the Souss Massa National Park, the plant receives all the wastewater of the cities of Inezgane, Dcheira, Aït Melloul and Tikiouine and around 70% of the water of Agadir. The plant supports the reuse of treated wastewater for watering green spaces and golf courses while protecting the environment downstream from the treatment plant discharge.

Expansion planned

On a visit, Ennaciri Abdelilah, head of the investment works department, gives African Business an overview of the operations of the plant, which is undergoing expansion works to boost capacity.

The plant currently has potential to provide an annual 11m cubic meters of purified water. Expansion now under way is set to increase this to 24m cubic meters. The timeline for completion is 2026.

“The wastewater treatment plant currently has a capacity of 78,000 cubic metres per day, based on a system of aerated lagoons, sand filters and UV [ultra-violet light] disinfection. The treated water is discharged directly into the sea via an outfall,” he explains.

Abdelilah says a feature of the ongoing expansion is the focus on energy efficiency. The sludge produced from the treatment can be used as feedstock for biogas generation. This relieves pressure on the national grid.

“Sludge from the primary tanks is recovered to produce biogas, helping to reduce energy dependency and make the plant partially self-sufficient. This ensures 40% autonomy of the plant’s power supply.”

Broader ambition

Boukhenfer says the expansion plan should not be viewed in isolation, but as part of a broader ambition by Souss Massa to ensure that “no water goes to waste” and that the region cements its leadership in sustainable water management.

“Ongoing projects, such as desalination and water infrastructure development, will continue to reinforce this leadership,” he adds, citing the Agadir desalination plant.

Operational since 2022, this solar-powered plant – with a capacity of 275,000 cubic metres per day, expandable to 450,000 cubic metres per day – complements M’zar by providing fresh water for drinking and irrigation.