The Problem of Water in Morocco

Data on water in Morocco According to the World Bank, Morocco has one of the highest water supply and sanitation lower Middle East and North? Africa: 56% water and 35% of sanitation. These figures mean that almost two thirds of Morocco's rural population have no access to health tools as basic as toilet flush. The World Bank also emphasizes two relevant facts: Improved access to water is 80% but access to improved sanitation is only 62%. Municipalities are the institutions responsible for ensuring sanitation services, but lack the necessary financial and technical capacity. Consequently, there is a tendency to neglect hygiene and sanitation in rural areas. Morocco, like their North African neighbors Algeria and Tunisia, suffers from water stress. This is due in part to the economic policies that have been undervalued and discriminated against the problem of water or water that have given importance according to their importance in trade. Examples of this approach are economic in Morocco the focus on export agriculture or privileges of tourism on water issues.

The case is particularly graphic Marrakech: the two million tourists visit this city annually consume five times more water than the entire local population, which amounts to one million inhabitants. As a result of uneven management, access to water has become more difficult for the rural population suffering from groundwater overexploitation. Privatization of Water in Morocco since the mid 90's, in Morocco there is a general tendency towards deregulation, privatization and opening to large foreign capital to the management of traditionally public services. Key sectors of education and health have been increasing presence of private capital, the same way that water management has been gradually put in the hands of private entities. The case of the town of Ben S'mim A descriptive example of this tendency to denationalization in the case of Ben S'mim village in the Middle Atlas. The people of Ben S'mim have spoken repeatedly against the privatization of their water source, they consider a robbery of a commons. A private corporation intends to acquire the spring and bottled water for further marketing.

Also, the population of Ben S'mim launched a statement demanding the termination of the project, the annulment of the proceedings against 12 villagers accused of speaking out against the project and the adoption of a true development policy in the region to let out marginalization and extreme poverty in which it is submerged.

The case Lydec in Casablanca A second example of this trend toward privatization of water management and sanitation in Morocco is the case of two large French corporations have been responsible for the distribution of electricity and water and sanitation services three major urban centers in Morocco: Casablanca, Rabat-Salé, Tangier and Tetouan. The case of the French company Lydec, responsible for managing water and sanitation services in Casablanca, is a particularly illustrative of the problems with the private management of these services. The company has breached various contractual commitments he had with the urban community, has failed in its management, has spent more money than has been agreed and even fraudulent purposes. First, of the 10,000 annual connections originally agreed in the contract, Lydec made only a total of 1250 between 1997 and 2007. Second, public opinion harshly criticizes the fact that the connection cost, which amounts to almost € 800, is exorbitant for people whose incomes are from € 1600 per year. Furthermore, in suburban areas, where water and sanitation are most needed, earnings are much lower.

This contrasts with figures for the combined income of private companies in charge of private management in the three urban foci mentioned: these benefits amounted to 8 billion dirhams, about 704 million euros, corresponding to between 2 and 2.5% of GDP in Morocco. Also, the investment that had contractually committed Lydec has been inadequate: the 3815 agreed billion dirhams, the company has paid only 2074 billion dirhams, ie only 54% of the agreed total. Finally, in regard to criminal actions, Lydec benefits divided by 2009, the date stipulated in the contract. In fact, between 2003 and 2006, Lydec had already distributed 560 million dirhams. In addition, Lydec broke the law by unjustifiably transferring 678 million dirhams, 85% of capital contributed by Lydec allegedly, shareholders and suppliers abroad. Conclusions and Solutions Several associations and institutions, including the Association for World Water Contract Morocco (ACME-Maroc), consider these two cases as examples of the wrong approach by the Moroccan authorities. The ACME criticizes what you think is an unfair and ineffective economic policy that turns citizens into customers.

Considering that the state is unable to manage water and that only the market can manage the new methods for efficient distribution of this resource, policy makers are intensifying, in fact, the already critical water shortages and sanitation services. These organizations require access to water is considered as a fundamental human right and that their distribution is organized as a social service rather than a business regulated by the arbitrary laws of supply and demand. Also oppose the decisions of the World Water Forum, run by the big private water holdings in the world, the Moroccan government and require a critical approach to these economic interests. They also propose that the promotion of activities linked to production and distribution of water is based on a public-public partnership between countries of the south and north and south across countries. Finally, these organizations require the establishment of credible mechanisms to include civil society in monitoring and controlling the activities of public bodies, so as to apply the principles of participatory democracy. As solutions, the ACME suggests the short-term reduction of waste and the reorientation of production towards sectors of water uses more economical and less polluting, both in agriculture and in tourism and industrial sectors, particularly in the petrochemical industry.

Ultimately, various associations propose as a solution to determining the return of water management at the hands of the municipalities, following the example of many northern countries, so as to guarantee the right to universal access to water and public sanitation. If you are interested in water issues in Morocco, I recommend you visit the country to see first hand the problems and explore solutions. They can even stay in one of the many hotels in Marrakech mentioned above, or one of the traditional Riads found in the center of the city. Once in Morocco, you can contact ACME-Maroc and even collaborate in some projects of this organization.