Irrigation water resources in the Moroccan urban environment: diagnosis, challenges and sustainable prospects (the case of the city of Marrakech)

Water resources are the fundamental pillar of every nation, as they represent the essential vital element for survival and are a determining factor in the development process, given their importance in all important sectors (agriculture, tourism, etc.). This proves particularly true following the global warning about the severe shortage of reserves of this resource, due to various constraints and factors, especially in the countries of the South. This could potentially lead to tensions and armed conflicts over these resources.

This article focuses on managing irrigation water resources in urban areas of Morocco, with a particular emphasis on the city of Marrakech. Marrakech has long been known for its ideal water system (Khettaras, Sequaya...), especially its irrigation system, which has contributed to its international reputation and established it as a historic metropolis and a green city (garden city). This research adopts a mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative), as well as historical, analytical–descriptive, and systemic approaches. The study's results emphasize that the city faces a significant deficit in irrigation water, with an annual shortage of 184 million cubic meters. This deficit is attributed to the excessive consumption of surface and groundwater for irrigating agricultural lands (knowing that 47% of agricultural lands are irrigated) and the watering of public and private green spaces (which consume 26.5 million cubic meters). A deterioration has also been observed in several water resources considered heritage assets (80% have been destroyed), due to the interaction of various factors, including natural impacts such as climate change, low precipitation, etc., and human factors like population growth, the expansion of human activities, and urbanization with a more technical than patrimonial dimension. This study proposes innovative and sustainable solutions for rational water management, aiming to enhance the city's resilience and ensure the sustainability of its hydraulic and cultural heritage.