New Desalination Plant to Solve Water Scarcity in Morocco’s Laayoune

Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) is building on its commitment to support the development of country’s southern provinces by attempting to solve the water scarcity issue in Tarfaya and Laayoune. A new desalination plant expected to start operating by the end of June this year, will reliably provide drinking water to the 230,000 residents of Laayoune and its neighboring populations until 2040.  ONEE reported the investment amounts to MAD 370 million ($41 million) and can supply the region with 26,000 m3 of water per day. In addition to the existing desalination plant and groundwater resources, the region will have a water supply of 62,000 m3 per day to meet local demand.  The seawater desalination plant is part of ONEE’s large plan of strengthening the production of raw water, constructing three reservoirs with the capacity of 5,500 m3,  building water pumping stations, and initiating a remote water management system.