Geographically, the country has a predominantly dry to semi-dry climate, with low and irregular rainfall patterns.
Additionally, Morocco is highly reliant on agriculture, which consumes about 85% of its water resources. During our visit to the Global Network of Water Museums, we learned that many agricultural practices are water-intensive, and over-reliance on inefficient irrigation methods further exacerbates the scarcity issue.
Most Moroccans live in medinas, which are historic walled cities with rich architecture that reflect Moroccan heritage. However, increasing urbanization, driven in part by migration from other countries, has added to Morocco’s population growth. As a result, this urbanization places further pressure on the nation’s limited water resources, especially in densely populated cities like Rabat and Casablanca.
One of the solution to the clean water scarcity in Morocco is that we learned about is desalination. Desalination is the process of removing salt and impurities from seawater to produce fresh, drinkable water. Notably, Morocco has cultural and historical adaptations to water conservation. One example, perhaps not intentionally designed for this purpose but still effective, is the hammam. A hammam is not just a communal space for cleansing; it is a cornerstone of Moroccan culture and community. By providing a shared space where people can bathe and socialize, the hammam conserves water while fostering connection and solidarity. These communal bathhouses use techniques such as heating water efficiently and limiting individual water use in households, making them an eco-friendly solution to this issue.
