Advancing Treated Wastewater Reuse in Morocco as a pathway to sustainable water management: Review
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Ukryj
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Faculty of science kenitra, Ibn tofail university
SŁOWA KLUCZOWE
DZIEDZINY
STRESZCZENIE
With limited freshwater resources and rising demand, Morocco is under increasing pressure due to overexploitation, inefficient usage, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. In 2023, per capita water availability fell to just 606 m³, far below the 1,000 m³ threshold of water scarcity. As a result, treated wastewater reuse (TWWR) has emerged as a strategic pillar of Morocco’s National Water Strategy (SNE) to enhance water security.
The article begins by examining national water trends and the increasing volume of wastewater generated, from 48 Mm³ in 1960 to a projected 1,026 Mm³ by 2040. In response, Morocco has launched several initiatives, particularly National Plan for Reuse (PNREU), targeting 80% treatment rate, 60% reduction in pollution, and reach 300 Mm³ of reuse annually by 2030.
The purpose of this review is to examine the actual performance of TWWR across key sectors in Morocco, namely agriculture, urban landscaping, and industry, while identifying the main barriers to its broader adoption. It draws on national and international data, as well as published research to trace trends in wastewater generation and reuse, highlighting gaps between technical potential and current use. For example, despite a reuse capacity of over 40 Mm³ expected in the landscaping sector, only about 9.8 Mm³ is utilized annually. Industrial reuse shows more promising results, approaching the 15 Mm³ annual target. In contrast, agricultural reuse remains very limited. Despite the vast potential, only 0.3% of Morocco’s TWW is used for irrigation, well below the 4% reported in Egypt and 24% in Tunisia. Several factors contribute to this gap, particularly limited tertiary treatment capacity, weak enforcement of regulations, and lack of public awareness or trust in the safety of reuse practices.
Grounded in a comprehensive review, this study contributes to the scientific literature by synthesizing the current status of technological trends and usage patterns of TWWR in Morocco. It identifies priority actions needed to unlock the full potential of this resource.
This study offers new perspectives for researchers and establishes the basis for further exploration into the environmental, health, and institutional implications of large-scale wastewater reuse in Morocco.