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Nizar Baraka: The rainfall surplus in the Abu Rqraq and Chaouia basin reaches 82%, with an improvement in reservoir levels
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The Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, confirmed that the water basin of Abu Rqraq and Chaouia recorded a rainfall surplus of 82% compared to the average of a normal year, as of February 19, indicating a significant improvement in the water situation in the region.
During his presiding of the board of directors meeting of the Abu Rqraq and Chaouia water agency for the 2025 session in Benslimane, the government official explained that the total rainfall recorded between September 2025 and February 19, 2026, amounted to 452.9 mm, which is an 82% surplus compared to the normal average, and a significant increase of 317.6% compared to the same period last year.
The minister also noted the important water inflows amounting to about 1,080 million cubic meters in the reservoirs under the basin as of the same date, confirming that groundwater has also seen a notable recovery in recent months due to the significant rainfall.
Conversely, he reminded that the hydrological year 2024-2025 was marked by a rainfall deficit of nearly 18.5% compared to the normal average, negatively impacting inflows into reservoirs, which dropped by about 61%. He highlighted that the current season 2025-2026 reflects a clear improvement positively impacting reservoir filling levels and groundwater storage.
Baraka confirmed that despite this improvement, the government continues to implement structural programs to ensure water security, including the second phase of the project linking the Sebou, Abu Rqraq, and Oum Er-Rbia basins to support water resources for the Al-Massira dam, expected to commence this year.
He also mentioned the progress of the first phase of the seawater desalination plant in Casablanca, with a production capacity of approximately 200 million cubic meters annually, which will increase to 300 million cubic meters in the second phase, set to begin operations by the end of 2026, along with plans for another desalination plant in Rabat with a similar production capacity of around 300 million cubic meters.
