Morocco switches on desalination plant to supply Agadir residents, farmers

Morocco has switched on its largest desalination plant in Chtouka Aitbaha, worth $470 million, to serve the water stressed area of Agadir and the farms in its south, the agriculture ministry said.

The plant will have a daily capacity of 400,000 cubic meters of desalinated water and will help save underground water resources.

Nearly 15,000 hectares will now be irrigated by the plant instead of the scarce groundwater resources.

Morocco plans similar plants in Casablanca, Sidi Ifni, Dakhla, Safi and Nador.

This year, Morocco has earmarked 320 million dollars (3 bln dirhams) to address water shortage in drought-hit areas of Souss, Moulouya, Oum Errabia and Tensift.

Some 57% of water reserves of the country are located in 7% of its territories, hence the need for 120 more small dams to be built by 2023, according to water minister.