2017年-世界发展银行全球_Managing_Urban_Water_Scarcity_in_Morocco_37页_4mb

Summary of Managing Urban Water Scarcity in Morocco

Core Content

This report explores the challenges and opportunities for managing urban water scarcity in Morocco, emphasizing the need for an Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) approach. It highlights the growing urban population, increasing water demand, and the impacts of climate change, which are expected to push the country into extreme water stress by 2050. The study provides a comprehensive framework for addressing these challenges through a combination of legal, institutional, technical, and financial measures.

Main Points

• Urban Water Demand: Urban water demand in Morocco is projected to increase by 60% to 100% by 2050, driven by population growth and urbanization. By 2050, the urban population is expected to reach 32.3 million, up from 20.7 million in 2015.

• Water Scarcity and Climate Change: Morocco is already facing severe water stress, with water availability per capita dropping from 3,500 m³/year in 1960 to 645 m³/year in 2015. Climate projections indicate further reductions in precipitation and surface water availability, potentially reaching 500 m³/year per capita by 2050, which is classified as extreme water scarcity.

• IUWM as a Solution: IUWM is proposed as a holistic and sustainable approach to managing the urban water cycle, integrating water supply, sanitation, stormwater management, and solid waste management. It aims to optimize resource use, improve system efficiency, and reduce losses.

• Legal and Institutional Framework: The Water Law 36-15 (2016) supports IUWM by promoting integrated, decentralized, and participatory management of water resources. It emphasizes the need for institutional reforms, capacity building, and the involvement of civil society and the private sector.

• Key Strategies for IUWM: The report outlines several strategies to enhance urban water security, including:

  • Demand Management: Reducing water losses and promoting conservation practices.
  • Non-Conventional Water Supply: Utilizing treated wastewater, rainwater harvesting, and seawater desalination.
  • Conventional Infrastructure: Expanding reservoirs, inter-basin water transfers, and improving water supply systems.
  • Groundwater Governance: Strengthening the management of aquifers to serve as climate buffers.

• Marrakesh as a Case Study: The city of Marrakesh is highlighted as a critical example where IUWM can be applied. The report suggests a diversified portfolio of water supply options, including:

  • Non-Conventional Measures: Wastewater reuse, rainwater harvesting, and desalination.
  • Conventional Measures: Inter-basin transfers, reservoir development, and improved water distribution.

• Multi-Scale Approach: The report advocates for a multi-scale approach that integrates micro (city-level), meso (basin-level), and macro (inter-basin) strategies to ensure an optimal and sustainable pathway for urban water management.

Key Information

• Water Scarcity Projections: By 2050, Morocco's water availability per capita is expected to drop to around 510 m³/year, near the threshold of extreme water scarcity.

• Water Usage Priorities: The Water Law 36-15 prioritizes potable water supply over other uses, especially irrigation, but urban water security cannot be achieved in isolation from broader water resource management.

• Water Losses: Urban areas in the MENA region experience significant water losses, averaging up to 50% of total supply, due to inefficiencies in distribution and infrastructure.

• Water Tariff and Value: The current urban water tariff in Marrakesh is 4.5 MAD per m³, while irrigation water has a much higher value, ranging from 0.5 MAD to 17 MAD per m³, depending on the crop.

• Economic and Social Impacts: The increasing competition for water between urban and agricultural sectors could lead to reduced land rent, rural employment, and economic impacts on other rural sectors. Inaction may result in significant economic costs and heightened urban-rural inequalities.

Conclusion

The report underscores the urgency of adopting IUWM to address urban water scarcity in Morocco, especially in the context of climate change and increasing competition for water resources. It recommends enhancing the legal and institutional framework, promoting non-conventional water sources, and improving system efficiency. For Marrakesh, a diversified and climate-resilient water supply strategy is essential to ensure long-term urban water security and sustainability.