Introduction 

Lack of water utilities affects the rural communities in Taza et Taounate provinces, thus, impeding the provision of  public services to the level expected in similar Moroccan zones. The drinking water requirements of Fès and its surroundings could no longer be met by the production of water supply infrastructures existing in 2010. This situation yielded a critically stressing situation for Moroccan authorities.

In December 2008, the Government of Morocco requested assistance to IsDB to participate in the financing of the expansion of water supply schemes project of Fès city and the rural communities within the province of Taza in favour of the National Office for Potable Water (ONEP). Subsequently, the Bank approved the financing for the project on 18 August 2009. The infrastructure works started on 3 May 2010.

The project objectives are consistent with the Government of Morocco’s intervention strategy in the water sector   which is focused on the integrated and rational management of water resources and the development of  infrastructures, to facilitate and support  the country’s economic and social development. The project is also in accord with the main purpose of National Water Plan aiming at the widespread access to drinking water for the entire rural population of the Kingdom.

The project consists of constructing treatment plant, pumping stations, water pipelines, reservoirs, break pressures,  standpipes and electrical lines with substations. The upgrading of water infra structures helps in improving the  economic growth through improved safe water services, increased rural school enrollment as well as strengthening of local economy.

Objectives

The project seeks to improve the access of rural populations to safe potable water and to support the implementation  of Government of The  Kingdom's master plan program for water supply of rural populations (PAGER). Specifically, the project aims at (i) expanding the existing water supply scheme of Fes province to meet the increasing portable water  demand for southern urban areas by 2030 and (ii) raising the access rate to potable water within rural areas in Taza province by 14.7%  (9.4% in Bab Louta area and 4.7% in Asfalou zone).

The underground water resources in Taza province, which encompass the vast aquifer of Guercif with valuable  potential, are marked by wide geographical disparities. Water is abundant and of good quality in southern and eastern parts of  the Province and is scarce in its northern parts. As for surface water resources, they are provided mainly by  the Dam of Bab Louta, whose water capacity storage is 38 million m3 with an annual regularized volume of 9 million m3. This dam is supplying the city with potable water through a main line of 72 Km along with the water treatment  plant (with  a  capacity  of  340  l/s). This project has been operational since August 2002.

The project will provide a step - shift upgrading of the municipal water infrastructure in the long term, while also supporting the Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance living conditions for the population and improve environmental condition in the targeted zones. The facilities, thus built, may have a transformational impact by providing a cost- effective means to make the safe water utilities more readily available in the most  densely populated areas in Taza province where many poor people live.

Obviously, the project outcomes contribute to raising the access rate to potable water within rural areas from 89% in 2009 to 97.4% in 2019 which is one of the overarching objectives of ONEE BO. As for the province of Taza, the overall objective of this priority phase serviced 144 douars with 50, 117 inhabitants. The beneficiaries are connected via intakes located along the main transmission line implemented under "Taza Water Supply Project" which was completed under IsDB financing. As for the province of Fes, the built project in the setting of the project allow for expanding and  securing the existing water supply scheme to meet the increasing potable water demand for southern urban areas by 2035.

The water supply system from Asfalou dam ensures the water provision of 144 douars in Tazaa and Taza  provinces with 47.000 dwellers leading to 4.7% - rise and  1% - rise of the access rate in Taza and Taounate  respectively. The water production, transmission, storage and distribution had been constructed in the setting of the current project. It is worth noting that the project implementation increases both access of rural populations to socio-educational services (enrolment of children, notably girls, and adult education) as well as women’s involvement in local social life and in decision-making.

Positive Impact

The wellbeing of those who inhabit the project areas was greatly enhanced. Furthermore:

1. The supply of potable water and the quality of its delivery/reliability was upgraded thanks to both the expansion of the distribution networks in the provinces of Taza and Taounate and the enhancement of the water transmission network flexibility for Fès city system.
2. The access to water supply services for the 2035 design horizon was significantly increased.
3. The per capita daily consumption of water continues to rise.
4. The time devoted to fetching drinking water has been greatly reduced.
5. The public healthcare expenditures per capita have lessened.
6. The livestock activities have been boosted.