Morocco Showcases Wastewater Reuse Experience at COP30 in Brazil – Barlaman Today

Morocco’s Wastewater Management Strategy: A Model for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: A Circular Economy Approach to Climate Action and Water Security

At the COP30 climate conference, Morocco’s experience in wastewater management and reuse was presented as a leading model for circular economy innovation. This strategy directly addresses climate-induced water scarcity and aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The initiative provides a sustainable solution to the mounting pressure on freshwater resources from urbanization, agriculture, and persistent drought conditions.

2.0 Strategic Framework for Water Resource Management

In response to seven consecutive years of drought, Morocco has implemented an ambitious water security strategy focused on non-conventional resources. This approach is central to building resilience and achieving long-term sustainability.

2.1 National Program for Shared Sanitation and Wastewater Reuse (PNAM)

The PNAM initiative, presented by the Directorate General of Local Authorities (DGCT), is a cornerstone of Morocco’s effort to advance SDG 6. It establishes clear targets for scaling up water reuse.

• Current Status: Approximately 53 million cubic meters of treated wastewater are reused annually in major urban centers, including Marrakech, Rabat-Salé-Témara, Tangier, Tetouan, and Agadir.
• Medium-Term Goal (2027): To mobilize 100 million cubic meters of treated water for reuse.
• Long-Term Goal (2040): To increase the volume of reused water to 573 million cubic meters.

The 2025–2034 plan will expand this program to 90 additional municipalities and 14 new agricultural projects, further contributing to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 11.

2.2 National Desalination Program

Complementing wastewater reuse, the national desalination program aims to enhance water supply infrastructure, in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

1. The program’s objective is to produce 1.7 billion cubic meters of freshwater annually by 2030.
2. It leverages reverse osmosis technology combined with renewable energy sources, supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

3.0 Multi-Sectoral Impact and Contribution to SDGs

The reuse of treated wastewater is a “win-win” strategy that conserves potable water resources while mitigating ecosystem pollution. Its application spans several key economic and social sectors.

3.1 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (SDG 2)

Treated wastewater is a vital resource for the agricultural sector. The Agadir treatment plant, for example, provides irrigation water for nearly 15,000 hectares of farmland, enhancing food production resilience in an arid region.

3.2 Responsible Industrial Production (SDG 12)

The private sector plays a crucial role in advancing circular economy principles. The OCP Group, a leader in the phosphate industry, demonstrates a commitment to SDG 12 by reusing over 20 million cubic meters of treated water in 2024 for industrial processes like phosphate washing.

3.3 Sustainable Urban Development (SDG 11)

Wastewater reuse is integral to creating sustainable and resilient cities.

• Local Implementation: The city of Sidi Ifni provides a successful local model, where its treatment plant meets approximately 20% of municipal water needs for maintaining green spaces and parks.
• Energy Co-generation: Several treatment plants contribute to SDG 7 and SDG 11 by producing biogas, creating a closed-loop system for energy and water.
• Diverse Urban Uses: Reused water is allocated for landscaping, golf courses, and industrial needs in various cities.

4.0 Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Morocco’s success is underpinned by strong collaborations. The initiative involves partnerships between national bodies like the DGCT, local government associations such as the AMPCC, and the private sector. Furthermore, the call by the Mayor of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine for enhanced cooperation between African and European regions on training and innovation underscores the importance of international partnerships to accelerate progress on shared environmental goals.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most central SDG, as the article focuses entirely on Morocco’s strategies for managing water resources, treating wastewater, and reusing it to combat water scarcity caused by drought and high demand.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the development of significant infrastructure, such as desalination and wastewater treatment plants (e.g., the Agadir plant). It also highlights innovation in industrial processes, with the OCP Group reusing treated water for phosphate washing.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The initiatives are explicitly framed within an urban context, with a side meeting titled “Wastewater Reuse: An Innovative Alternative for the Circular Economy in Urban Areas.” The article names several cities (Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, etc.) implementing these programs and reusing water for urban green spaces.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article promotes a “circular economy” approach to water management. By treating and reusing wastewater, Morocco is moving towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns, ensuring the efficient use of the natural resource of water.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The wastewater reuse and desalination strategies are presented as a “practical response to climate challenges,” specifically to strengthen resilience against climate-related hazards like the “seven consecutive years of drought” Morocco has faced.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article mentions both public-private partnerships, exemplified by the OCP Group’s involvement, and calls for international cooperation between African and European regions for training and innovation in environmental leadership.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution… and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

   • The article directly addresses this target by detailing Morocco’s National Program for Shared Sanitation and Wastewater Reuse (PNAM), which aims to treat wastewater and reuse it for agriculture, landscaping, and industry, thereby reducing pollution and increasing reuse.

2. Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency… and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.

   • By reusing 53 million cubic meters of treated water annually and aiming for 573 million by 2040, Morocco is increasing its water-use efficiency. This strategy directly addresses water scarcity by reducing the need to withdraw fresh water for uses like irrigation and industry.

3. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.

   • The article provides a specific example of this target in action: the OCP Group, a major industrial entity, reused over 20 million cubic meters of treated water for phosphate washing in 2024, demonstrating a move towards sustainable industrial processes with greater water efficiency.

4. Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including… municipal and other waste management.

   • The focus on wastewater management in cities like Sidi Ifni, where treated water meets 20% of the needs for green spaces, directly contributes to reducing the environmental impact of urban areas by managing municipal wastewater effectively.

5. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

   • Morocco’s entire water security strategy, including desalination and wastewater reuse, is a direct response to the climate-related hazard of severe and prolonged drought. It is an adaptive measure to build resilience against water scarcity.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   • The article highlights the role of “private-sector participation led by the fertilizer and phosphate OCP Group” in the national water reuse plan, which is a clear example of a public-private partnership for sustainable development.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Volume of treated wastewater reused

  The article provides specific, quantifiable data that serves as a direct indicator. It states that “about 53 million cubic meters are reused each year” and provides future targets of “100 million cubic meters of treated water by 2027 and 573 million by 2040.”

• Volume of desalinated water produced

  This is an implied indicator for progress on securing non-conventional water resources. The article mentions a clear target: “Morocco seeks to produce 1.7 billion cubic meters of freshwater annually in 2030 using reverse osmosis and renewable energy.”

• Area of land irrigated with treated water

  The article provides a concrete example that can be used as an indicator of the impact on agriculture: “The Agadir plant, for instance, provides water to nearly 15,000 hectares of farmland.”

• Percentage of water needs met by reuse in a specific locality

  This is an implied indicator for measuring the local impact of these programs. The article states that in Sidi Ifni, the “treatment plant already meets around 20% of water needs by reusing treated water for green spaces and park maintenance.”

• Number of municipalities included in the national program

  The expansion of the program is an indicator of progress. The article mentions that the “2025–2034 plan extends this initiative to 90 municipalities,” which can be tracked over time.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: barlamantoday.com