The North-South hydraulic interconnection in Morocco, a 6 billion dirhams project, is entering the testing phase. This major project aims to transport up to 400 million cubic meters of water annually to supply the regions of Rabat and Casablanca.
This Monday, August 28 in the locality of El Arjate, the first waves gushed from the water highway linking the Sebou basin to that of Bouregreg. These were the first low-speed tests of this hydraulic structure, which transports water over a distance of 67 kilometers, in order to transport it to the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dams in Rabat and El Massira in Casablanca-Settat. With an investment of 6 billion dirhams, this interconnection will make it possible to transport up to 400 million cubic meters of water annually from the North of the Kingdom, in order to supply drinking water to the cities of Rabat, Casablanca and their regions. . The objective is to balance between the Sebou basin, which has a water surplus, and that of Bouregreg, which suffers from a significant deficit and increasing consumption. "This colossal project aims to transfer excess water from the Sebou basin, which was lost in the Atlantic Ocean, to the Bouregreg basin in order to guarantee the supply of drinking water in the Rabat-Casablanca region for a population of about 12 million inhabitants, while easing the pressure on the Al Massira dam ", explains the press release from the Ministry of Equipment and Water.
Moroccan skills
The realization of this project, in accordance with the Royal Directives contained in the Royal Speech of 14.10.2022, is a real tour de force. Indeed, on May 9, HM King Mohammed VI chaired a working session devoted to monitoring the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027. During this session, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, presented a presentation to the Sovereign on the water situation and the progress of the implementation of the various components of This program. The King then gave His instructions to accelerate the various projects underway in this area.
Since then, the mobilization of exclusively Moroccan skills has made it possible to complete this strategic infrastructure in barely 10 months, compared to a normal period of 4 years for this type of work. Led by the Ministry of Equipment and Water, the “Water Highway” project was carried out by the Moroccan General Works Company (SGTM), the New Water Pipes Company (SNCE), the Moroccan Agricultural Works Company (STAM), the Maghreb Civil Engineering and Engineering and Development Consulting Company, a design office under the Ministry of Equipment.
The structure's pipes are made of steel tubes 3,200 millimeters in diameter. As a sign of the authorities' proactiveness in relation to this project, the Government Council took the decision last April to suspend the customs duties applied to the import of this product until December 31, 2023. This made it possible to quickly obtain these elements from Turkey. Two pumping stations have been set up to facilitate the movement of the precious liquid. At the level of Oued Sebou, a first pumping station (SP1) sucks up water to transfer it through the pipes, while a second (SP2) has been installed at the level of the Maâmora forest, in the locality of Sidi Allal El Bahraoui, with the aim of accelerating the circulation of water. Thus, the flow in the hydraulic system can remain constant.
Dry dams
The commissioning of this interconnection comes at the right time. The entire coastal region between the capital and the metropolis was threatened with water shortage, especially after a dry summer. The Al Massira dam, the second largest dam in the Kingdom, has reached its lowest level with a filling rate of barely 2.6%. While the reserves of the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dam are barely 15.2%. According to the presentation of the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, in June before the Chamber of Councilors, this interconnection will also make it possible to mobilize 180 million m3 of water from the Bin El Ouidane dams and Ahmed El Hansali to irrigate 120,000 hectares in Doukkala and Bni Amir, as well as 56,000 hectares in Bni Moussa.
The creation of “water highways” is currently only the tip of the iceberg. An iceberg made up of dozens of desalination plants operating at full capacity, efficient use of hydroelectric and wind energy and great technological advances in the use and development of green hydrogen.
Proof of the effectiveness of the Moroccan Administration is the continuous search for new solutions to the water problem. Beyond supply, one of Rabat's future projects is to be able to reuse wastewater for its disposal for agriculture.
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