Twenty Faced with mounting water stress driven by climate change and rapid population growth, the SRM Casa-Settat (Regional Office for Water Management) has unveiled an ambitious 2025 action plan. The strategy includes a 5.3 billion MAD investment across 211 drinking water projects, with the primary goal of securing the region’s long-term water supply amid soaring demand. Among the plan’s flagship projects is the construction of 12 new water reservoirs at a cost of 155 million MAD, which will boost regional storage capacity by 277,000 m³, a 22% increase that brings total capacity to 1.1 million m³. A far larger undertaking is the future Casablanca desalination plant, with a projected investment of 2.15 billion MAD. Spanning two years, this mega-project will involve 118 kilometers of pipelines, two reservoirs (30,000 m³ and 60,000 m³ in Sahel Oulad H’riz), and two pumping stations. Its target capacity is 300 million m³ per year. In parallel, 33 modular desalination and demineralization units—with a combined investment of 400 million MAD—will produce 8 million m³ of water annually. Eleven of these units are already operational in Settat, Berrechid, Sidi Bennour, and El Jadida, strengthening water resilience in vulnerable areas.
Combating Water Waste
To maximize existing resources, SRM launched a leak detection and repair plan in October 2024, leveraging smart tools such as “Aquadvanced” and the “Smart Ball.” The results have been impressive: 3.5 million m³ of water saved in just four months. This achievement comes from inspecting 19,500 kilometers of water networks, including 7,900 km monitored acoustically, and repairing 1,971 leaks. In Casablanca and Mohammedia, 31 specialized teams and 3,600 acoustic pre-locators are actively engaged in monitoring a vast 23,263 km network.
Beyond infrastructure, SRM is also investing in public education. Since January, educational tours at the Médiouna wastewater treatment plant have welcomed students, elected officials, and community leaders. These visits aim to promote wastewater reuse and encourage eco-friendly water habits. All of these efforts are part of a broader vision: one where every drop counts. The region currently boasts 267 reservoirs (with a combined capacity of 908,207 m³) and 128 pumping stations, providing a solid backbone for the water supply system. However, with demand rising and resources under strain, SRM is calling for collective action. On this World Water Day, the message is clear: water conservation is a shared responsibility—and it starts with practical action and widespread awareness.
Aziza EL AFFAS
