Hydrogeology of Morocco & Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara): Difference between revisions

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The north of Morocco has a Mediterranean climate. The Atlas mountains show a range of climatic conditions through humid temperate on their lower slopes to Alpine at their highest elevation. East and south of the Atlas, the climate is dry to desert.
The north of Morocco has a Mediterranean climate. The Atlas mountains show a range of climatic conditions through humid temperate on their lower slopes to Alpine at their highest elevation. East and south of the Atlas, the climate is dry to desert.





Revision as of 15:56, 12 May 2017

Africa Groundwater Atlas >> Hydrogeology by country >> Hydrogeology of Morocco & Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara)

Authors

Kirsty Upton and Brighid Ó Dochartaigh, British Geological Survey, UK

Please cite this page as: Upton & Ó Dochartaigh, 2016.

Bibliographic reference: Upton, K. & Ó Dochartaigh, B.É. 2016. Africa Groundwater Atlas: Hydrogeology of Morocco & Western Sahara. British Geological Survey. Accessed [date you accessed the information]. https://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/Hydrogeology_of_Morocco_%26_Western_Sahara_(Moroccan_Sahara)

Terms and conditions

The Africa Groundwater Atlas is hosted by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and includes information from third party sources. Your use of information provided by this website is at your own risk. If reproducing diagrams that include third party information, please cite both the Africa Groundwater Atlas and the third party sources. Please see the Terms of use for more information.

Geographical Setting

Much of Morocco is mountainous, in particular the Atlas mountains in the centre-south and the Rif mountains in the north. Much of the Western Sahara (known in Morocco as the Moroccan Sahara) is desert.

Note the maps below have different elevation scales.

Morocco. Map developed from USGS GTOPOPO30; GADM global administrative areas; and UN Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. For more information on the map development and datasets see the geography resource page.
Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara). Map developed from USGS GTOPOPO30; GADM global administrative areas; and UN Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. For more information on the map development and datasets see the geography resource page.


General

Morocco:

Estimated Population in 2013* 33,008,150
Rural Population (% of total) (2013)* 40.8%
Total Surface Area* 446,300 sq km
Agricultural Land (% of total area) (2012)* 68.1%
Capital City Rabat
Region Northern Africa
Border Countries Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara), Algeria
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal (2013)* 12,610 Million cubic metres
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Agriculture (2013)* 87.3%
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Domestic Use (2013)* 9.8%
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Industry (2013)* 2.9%
Rural Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)* 63.6%
Urban Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)* 98.5%

* Source: World Bank

Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara):

Estimated Population in 2012* 549,000
Rural Population (% of total) (2013)* 17.6%
Total Surface Area* 266,000 sq km
Capital City El Aaiún
Region Northern Africa
Border Countries Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria

* Source: UN Data

Climate

The north of Morocco has a Mediterranean climate. The Atlas mountains show a range of climatic conditions through humid temperate on their lower slopes to Alpine at their highest elevation. East and south of the Atlas, the climate is dry to desert.




Morocco:

Koppen Geiger Climate ZonesAverage Annual PrecipitationAverage Temperature

Average monthly precipitation for Morocco showing minimum and maximum (light blue), 25th and 75th percentile (blue), and median (dark blue) rainfall Average monthly temperature for Morocco showing minimum and maximum (orange), 25th and 75th percentile (red), and median (black) temperature Quarterly precipitation over the period 1950-2012 Monthly precipitation (blue) over the period 2000-2012 compared with the long term monthly average (red)


Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara):

Koppen Geiger Climate ZonesAverage Annual PrecipitationAverage Temperature

Average monthly precipitation for Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara) showing minimum and maximum (light blue), 25th and 75th percentile (blue), and median (dark blue) rainfall Average monthly temperature for Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara) showing minimum and maximum (orange), 25th and 75th percentile (red), and median (black) temperature Quarterly precipitation over the period 1950-2012 Monthly precipitation (blue) over the period 2000-2012 compared with the long term monthly average (red)


More information on average rainfall and temperature for each of the climate zones in Morocco & Western Sahara can be seen at the Morocco & Western Sahara climate page.

These maps and graphs were developed from the CRU TS 3.21 dataset produced by the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, UK. For more information see the climate resource page.

Surface water

Major surface water features of Morocco. Map developed from World Wildlife Fund HydroSHEDS; Digital Chart of the World drainage; and FAO Inland Water Bodies. For more information on the map development and datasets see the surface water resource page.
Major surface water features of Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara). Map developed from World Wildlife Fund HydroSHEDS; Digital Chart of the World drainage; and FAO Inland Water Bodies. For more information on the map development and datasets see the surface water resource page.

Basin (Watershed) Agencies (see Groundwater Management section, below) are responsible for river flow gauging. There are about 700 gauging points in rivers. Gauging is generally done 3 times per month, and again during flood periods.


Soil

Soil Map of Morocco, from the European Commission Joint Research Centre: European Soil Portal. For more information on the map see the soil resource page.
Soil Map of Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara), from the European Commission Joint Research Centre: European Soil Portal. For more information on the map see the soil resource page.


Land cover

Land Cover Map of Morocco, from the European Space Agency GlobCover 2.3, 2009. For more information on the map see the land cover resource page.
Land Cover Map of Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara), from the European Space Agency GlobCover 2.3, 2009. For more information on the map see the land cover resource page.



Geology

This section provides a summary of the geology of Morocco and Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara). For the purposes of this summary, the geology of both Morocco and Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara) is described together.

More detail can be found in the references listed at the bottom of this page. Many of these references can be accessed through the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive.

The geology maps on this page show a simplified version of the geology (see the Geology resource page for more details).

A more detailed geological map, at 1:1,000,000 scale, has also been published (Hollard et al. 1985).

Geology of Morocco and Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara) at 1:5 million scale. Developed from USGS map (Persits et al. 2002). For more information on the map development and datasets see the geology resource page.
Geological Environments
Key Areas and/or Formations Geological Age Lithological summary Thickness and important structural features
Tertiary to Quaternary unconsolidated basins
Quaternary to Tertiary Alluvial sands and gravels, especially around Laayaoune-Smara cities; alluvial & coastal deposits, also largely sands, along coasts; and sand dunes in deserts. Thick alluvial and coastal deposits form major basins, including the Souss basin near Agadir; the basin around Marrakech; basins along the Atlantic coast from Essaouira to Casablanca; and the Saiss basin from Rabat to Fes.


Cretaceous - Tertiary
Tarfaya-Dakhla basin; Plateau des Phosphates; Haut Plateau Cretaceous to Late Tertiary During much of the Cretaceous, fluviatile sandstones, marls and conglomeratic calcarenites were formed. At the top of the Late Cretaceous there was a general transgression and return to shallow marine conditions in the Meseta and Atlas domains, as well as the northern Saharan region.

Along the Atlantic coast, the Tarfaya-Dakhla basin corresponds to Cretaceous to Neogene sediments deposited on Triassic to Jurassic syn-Atlantic rift deposits. The Cretaceous shelf margin platforms rocks correspond to marine to lagoonal sediments with organic-rich black shales at about the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary. The Paleocene-Eocene thin sandy to marly sediments overlie unconformably the Late Cretaceous strata and, in turn, are overlain by a Miocene sequence which abruptly thickens westward.

The Rif in northern Morocco is a complex zone that includes significant volumes of Cretaceous and Tertiary limestones and other rocks, as well as slivers of older rocks, including ophiolites and metamorphic basement.

Other major Cretaceous to Tertiary basins include the Plateau des Phosphates north of Marrakech, which includes limestone, marls and phosphorites; and the Haut Plateau in the northeast of Morocco, which includes calcareous lacustrine deposits.

The Late Cretaceous to Neogene saw Atlantic passive margin rifting and basin opening. From the Oligocene to Neogene, Cenozoic compressions began in peripheral basins and continue during Miocene with detrital subsident basins (Souss and Ouarzazate basins), with a paroxysm during Mio-Pliocene.

The Rif is a thrust zone, part of the Alpine orogenic belt.

Triassic, Jurassic, Early Cretaceous
High Atlas and Middle Atlas Triassic, Jurassic, Early Cretaceous Triassic synrift siltstones and sandstones, and evaporate deposits. Occasional basaltic igneous rocks from rift-related magmatism. The Jurassic series is composed of two branches of thick carbonate platforms. The Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous saw a change from marine to fluviatile red bed sandstones, marls and conglomeratic calcarenites. Early Cretaceous red bed sandstones are seen in particular at the eastern edge of the Tarfaya-Layoune basin in southern Morocco and Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara).

Early Cretaceous rocks in the Rif are flysch-types, associated with Atlantic opening.

Mid to Late Triassic rifting in the early Mesozoic is linked to the opening of the central Atlantic, causing basins to open. The climax of rifting is marked by basaltic magmatism.
Palaeozoic
Dhlou-Zemmour-Tinfouf units Ordovician to Carboniferous Paleozoic tilloids, arenites, shales, limestones and sandstones crop out in the Dhlou–Zemmour and Tindouf areas. The oldest rocks are Upper Ordovician tilloids and arenites, overlain by Silurian shales and Devonian shallow water limestones. Carboniferous sandstones and limestones constitute the thick intra-cratonic Tindouf basin to the northeast of this area. There are 500 m to 2000 m of sedimentary strata detached from the autochthonous Ordovician deposits on the Silurian décollement level.
Anti-Atlas Cambrian to Carboniferous Shallow marine sedimentation was almost continuous in the Anti-Atlas from Cambrian to Permian, apart from the Upper Cambrian, and consists of alternating carbonate and siliciclastic platforms. Rocks include tilloids, arenites, shales, limestones and sandstones. 6 km to 10 km thickness of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, increasing in thickness from east to west. Unevenly faulted and folded during the Late Carboniferous Variscan Orogeny
High Atlas and Meseta Cambrian to Permian In the western part of the High Atlas, the 'Massif Ancien' deformed and metamorphosed Palaeozoic tilloids, arenites, shales, limestones and sandstones crop out, intruded by many Variscan granites. To the east of this are many inliers of similar rocks (at Aït Tamlil, Skoura, Mougueur and Tamlalet.

Paleozoic metamorphic rocks crop out in many massifs of the western Moroccan Meseta (Jebilet, Rehamna, Maroc Central) and the eastern Meseta (e.g. Tazekka and Debdou), consisting of schists to micaschists, intruded by many sys- to late-orogenic granitoids.

The High Atlas is irregularly deformed by Variscan compressions. The western and eastern Meseta areasbelong to the most deformed zones of the Variscan orogeny, at the southern continuity of the Variscan chain of Europe.


Precambrian
Ouled Delim-Adrar Souttouf Nappes, Key formations include the Oued Togba, Sebkha Gezmayet, Dayet Lawda and Sebkha Matallah Neoproterozoic High-grade metamorphic rocks occur in the nappes fo the Adrar Souttouf Massif, intruded by granitoids and by mafic and ultra-mafic dykes. The Oued Togba and Sebkha Gezmayet units are of peri-Gondwanan origin (Avalonian and Meguma) (Gärtner et al., 2013), while Dayet Lawda and Sebkha Matallah units are derived from oceanic crust (Gasquet et al. 2008, Rjimati and Zemmouri 2011).

Rocks of the central and eastern part of the Anti-Atlas, mainly along the Bou Azzer-Siroua suture, and to the north in the Saghro and the High Atlas massifs, are derived from oceanic crust, corresponding to remnants of Lower Neoproterozoic ophiolite obducted during the Pan-African orogeny.

Neoproterozoic rocks related to the Pan-African cycle directly overlie Archean and Palaeoproterozoic rocks.

Metamorphic nappes of the Adrar Souttouf Massif (Ouled Dlim) correspond to the northernmost outcrops of the Variscan Mauritanide Belt. This area consists of a metamorphic NNE-SSW trending nape stack thrusted top-SE onto the western Reguibat Arch. Four main structural domains are distinguished from west to east: Oued Togba, Sebkha Gezmayet, Dayet Lawda, and Sebkha Matallah (Villeneuve et al. 2006, 2010). The entire region is characterised by Neoproterozoic and Variscan-Alleghanian polyphased metamorphic overprint, corroborated by geochronologic data (Villeneuve et al. 2006, Gärtner et al. 2013).


Palaeoproterozoic The Palaeoproterozoic basement rocks are limited to the centre-western part of the Anti-Atlas inliers, including the areas of Kerdous, Bas Draa, Tagragra and Zenaga. They consist of supracrustal schists and migmatites, which have been intruded by various Eburnean granitoids.
South western Archean terrane Archean Rocks of Archean age crop out in the southwest Reguibat Shield area. They are dominated by supracrustal rocks, including orthogneisses and granitic rocks with scattered lenses of metagabbros and serpentinites (greenstone belt), and supracrustal rocks including laminated, ferruginous quartzites, felsic gneisses with pyroxene-rich gneisses, cherts and impure marbles. U-Pb zircon ages of 3.04 to 2.83 Ga were obtained from intrusive granitoid rocks (Lahondere et al. 2003), suggesting a Mesoarchean age. The Reguibat Shield area of the Archean basement is part of the West African Craton.

Hydrogeology

This section provides a summary of the hydrogeology of the main aquifers in Morocco and Western Sahara. For the purposes of this summary, the hydrogeology of both Morocco and Western Sahara is described together.

More information is available in the references listed at the bottom of this page. Many of these references can be accessed through the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive.

The hydrogeology maps on this page show a simplified overview of the type and productivity of the main aquifers (see the Hydrogeology map] resource page for more details).

Hydrogeology of Morocco and Western Sahara at 1:5 million scale. For more information on how the map was developed see the Hydrogeology map resource page.


Summary

Productive aquifer formations occur in most of the major sedimentary units, at various depths. Extensive tectonic activity has caused layering of sedimentary formations, and moutainous areas. Snow and rain in the Atlas Mountains are the major source of Morocco's water resources.

Six major hydrogeological domains are sometimes identified: the Saharian domain includes most of Western Sahara; the South Atlas domain includes the area of the Anti-Atlas; the Atlasic domain includes the High and Middle Atlas; the Eastern domain in the northeast of Morocco (the Eastern Meseta); the Atlantic domain in the Western Meseta, along the Atlantic coast; and the Rif zone in the north. Within each of these domains, there are similarities in geology and climate, but groundwater also exists in different geological environments. The description below highlights the different geological environments, which are the dominant control on aquifer hydrogeology.


Unconsolidated

Named Aquifers General Description Water quantity issues Water quality issues Recharge
Tertiary - Quatarnary Alluvium. Discontinuous alluvial aquifers occur along river valleys and as basins in the major plain areas. They comprise mixed deposits of sand and gravel, sometimes interlayered with low permeability silts and clays to form multilayer aquifers. They range from a few metres to 200 m thick. Aquifer properties are variable, depending on lithology. Aquifer productivity is highest in alluvial aquifers in valleys of larger perennial rivers. The aquifers are mainly unconfined, and water tables are highly variable, from 0 to 50 m deep. Boreholes abstracting from alluvial aquifers range from 5 to 150 m deep. Groundwater storage depends mainly on recharge. Groundwater quality is highly variable, from good to very bad. Recharge occurs from direct rainfall infiltration and leakage from adjacent river flow (which is fed largely by flow from the Atlas Mountains).

Igneous

Named Aquifers General Description Water quantity issues Water quality issues Recharge
Igneous rocks include basalt and granitic rocks, and are located mainly in the south and the Meseta region. The hydrogeology and groundwater potential of the rocks has not been extensively investigated. Aquifer thickness is likely to be very variable, and may reach more than a few hundred metres at most. The productivity is thought to be typically very low, and entirely related to fractures and weathered zones - intergranular porosity and permeability are virtually non-existent. Aquifers are likely to be unconfined. Boreholes into igneous aquifers range from a few metres to 300 m. Groundwater resources likely to be small. Generally good quality. Recharged mainly by rainfall.

Sedimentary - Intergranular & Fracture Flow

Named Aquifers General Description Water quantity issues Water quality issues Recharge
Sandstone aquifers, of Palaeozoic to Cenozoic age. E.g. Ouarzazate basin, Rif-Gharb, Laayoune basin (Sahara), Pre-Rif and Rif Sandstone aquifers of different ages occur in different basins across the country, and are of different importance in terms of groundwater potential from region to region. The main important ones are located in Tadla, Saïsis, Tensift and northern plains. Aquifer thickness generally ranges from 10 m to 200 m. Water tables are very variable in different basins, and the aquifers can be confined or unconfined. Groundwater quantity varies from basin to basin, depending largely on recharge. Variable quality from good to medium. Salinity from evaporates in Triassic and Jurassic formations can impact groundwater quality. Recharge is from rainfall and from leakage between aquifers.

Sedimentary - Karst (Fracture)

Named Aquifers General Description Water quantity issues Water quality issues Recharge
Karstic aquifers, of Cretaceous, Jurassic and Cambrian age. E.g. Atlantic basins, Doukkalas-Sahel de Sadi Asemour, Moulouya-Horsts chain, Guercif-Causse Oral High Atlas Karstic aquifers are found mainly in the Rif and the High, Middle and Anti Atlas mountains, with a few deep aquifers in some plains (e.g. Tadla, Fes-Sais, Essaouira). They constitute very important water resources, manifested by many important springs. Aquifer thickness is very variable, from 10 m to 1000 m.

Flows from these mountainous aquifers constitute the main origin of all rivers in Morocco. Spring discharge varies from a few litres/second (l/s) up to 3000 l/s. The aquifers in the Atlas Mountains are unconfined, but at depth below the plains are confined. Water table depth depends on recharge and exploitation.

Several springs with very large, important discharges. Globally good quality Recharge occurs mainly from rainfall and snow melt.

Precambrian and Palaeozoic (Fracture)

Named Aquifers General Description Water quantity issues Water quality issues Recharge
Crystalline Precambrian and overlying Palaeozoic (meta) sedimentary rocks These aquifers are formed by Precambrian crystalline basement rocks overlaid by (meta)sedimentary Paleozoic rocks. They are located mainly in the south, in the Anti Atlas and Sahara. Groundwater flow and storage is limited to fractured zones, which can be from 10 m to 400 m thick, but groundwater is usually encountered at shallow depths. Pumping tests show aquifer productivity is low, and flow rates are low. The aquifer is unconfined everywhere. Resources are exploited for water supply by wells and springs, mainly for rural populations, including nomads.

The exception are karstic limestones of Cambrian age, which can form very productive aquifers (see above).

Limited recharge. Small and localised abstraction. Drilling costs are very high. Acceptable quality. Very low rainfall (60 to 100 mm /year) means limited recharge, largely by direct rainfall infiltration.

Groundwater Status

Groundwater quantity

Groundwater is a strategic resource, representing 20% of total water resources, or a total of some 4.2 billion cubic metres (BCM) per year across 9 major basins. There are 6 major hydrogeological areas which contain 103 aquifers of variable importance, from local to regional size. Of these, 32 are deep or confined aquifers, and 98 are shallow. Most is known about the shallow aquifers; less is known about the hydrogeology of the deep aquifers.

Groundwater in all aquifers is experiencing stress, with falling water levels related to over-abstraction and low rainfall (and therefore low recharge).

Climate change models indicate that in future there will be an intensification of drought occurrence, indicating that groundwater stress is likely to increase.

Artificial recharge of aquifers is part of important actions carried out by the Department of Water, aiming to replenish, at least in part, strategic reserves of groundwater resources. This would allow for the restoration of the balance of these aquifers or, at least, the mitigation of the recorded deficits, as well as the slowdown of the progress of saline intrusion in coastal areas. At a national level 24 aquifers that are experiencing advanced overexploitation, may be the subject of the artificial recharge in order to mitigate their deficits. The total volume that can be injected in the whole of these aquifers is estimated at nearly 200 million m³.


Groundwater quality

Groundwater quality degredation is occuring in many areas, linked to falling groundwater levels, including saline intrusion; pollution by nitrates (fertilizer); and geogenic salinity Pollution by nitrates originates from essential agricultural activities, especially in irrigated areas. Aquifers for which pollution by nitrates is pronounced include Tadla, Berrechid, Triffa, Doukkala, R'mel, Tafilalet and Massa. The aquifers of Martil, Gharb, Chtouka, Guercif, Charf El Akab, Beni Mathar, Laou, Souss, Kert, Tafilalet and Haouz have lower nitrogen pollution, but may see localized accentuated pollution. The level of nitrogen in some aquifers, including that of Beni Moussa in the Tadla and Mnasra in the Gharb, already exceeds the maximum tolerated threshold of 50 mg/l.

The problem of salinity of the coastal groundwater is acute, especially for the aquifers of Nekkor, Kert, Gareb, coastal Chaouia and Mnasra. Salinity also exceeds the permitted threshold in many groundwaters close to the shore or/and where the recharge area contains evaporate rocks (Halite and gypsum).

Groundwater-Surface water interaction

The Moroccan oases are irrigated by a traditional hydro-system called khettara (shallow groundwater canals). Surface water for these canals is supplied by runoff from the Atlas Mountains. This irrigation system was used largely in the Haouz Plain around Marrakech and the Souss Valley in the region of Agadir. Currently, this system is still in use only in the southeastern part of the country, in the plain of Tafilalt.

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

More than 20 000 springs have been inventoried. Some of these springs supply water plans (lakes, swamps and ponds). The important lakes are in the Middle and High Atlas (e.g. Dayet Aoua, Ouiouane, Aguelmame Azigza, Iffer, Ifrah, Roumi, Ifni). The country contains 160 water plans, of which 24 are declared humid zones according to Ramsar sites.


Groundwater use and management

Groundwater use

About 25% of the total national water supply comes from groundwater. Of this, up to 15% is used for drinking water and industry, and between 85% and 96% for irrigation and livestock watering (data from the Hydraulic Department and UNESCO). Industrial use includes hydropower and tourism (hotels, golf irrigation, etc).

The main types of groundwater source are boreholes with electric pumps, traditional (hand dug) wells, and major springs (e.g. Bittit, Ribaa, Ain Asserdoune, Bouadel and Abainou).

Actual groundwater abstraction in the major basins compared to calculated sustainable abstraction is summarised below (Source: CSEC 2013):

Basins Calculated Allowable Groundwater Abstraction (Million m³/year) Actual Groundwater Abstraction (Million m³/year) Calculated Groundwater Over-exploitation(Million m³/year)
Loukkos 126 126 0
Moulouya 350 355 5
Sebou 1020 1177 157
Bouregreg & Chaouia 77 108 31
Oum Er Rbia 347 639 292
Tensift 616 763 147
Souss – Massa – Draa 666 1011 345


Groundwater management

The key institutions with a responsibility for groundwater are:

The Department of Water, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Water and Environment (MEMEE) develops and ensures the implementation of the policy of the country in terms of mobilization, management, preservation and protection of water resources. This is done through the nine Watershed (Basin) Hydraulic Agencies (Oum Er Rbia, Moulouya, Loukkos, Sebou, Bou Regreg and Chaouia, Tensift, Souss-Massa-Draa, Guir-Ziz-Rhéris and Sakia El Hamra-Oued Eddahab) and the ONEE (National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (www.one.org.ma)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Fisheries has a role to develop and implement agricultural policy at the national level and to coordinate the actions of hydro-agricultural planning and management of irrigation, particularly those carried out by the Regional Offices of Agricultural Development (ORMVA).

The Ministry of Interior is active in the field of the water through chairing the commissions of public inquiries relating to applications for digging of wells, of realization of drilling, sampling of water and for the recognition of rights of water, the delimitation of the Hydraulic Public Domain and the establishment of protective zones.

The Ministry of Economy and Finances, through its prerogatives in terms of control of the expenditure of the ministerial departments and financial guardianship, exercises influence on the public institutions involved in water management and therefore plays an important role in the water policy of the country.

The Ministry of Health is in charge of the health aspects related to the water, in particular the monitoring of the quality of drinking water and of natural mineral waters

The Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Professional Training contributes and finances research within the hydraulic department of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Water and Environment.


The legal framework for groundwater management falls under:

The Law 10-95: September 20, 1995 relative to Water, called the Water Law.

The Law 11-03: May 12, 2003 relative to the Environment.

The latter is the “Aquifer Contract” established by the hydraulic agencies to manage and save water resources in the country, especially within the overexploited areas. This Contract is signed by all stakeholders in the field of water, and by especially users. It constitutes good experience and achievement for water resources management.


The main points of the Action plan for groundwater management are:

- Improve knowledge of all groundwater resources - Artificial recharge of groundwater - Reuse of treated wastewater - Desalinization of Brackish groundwater - Desalinization of sea water.

Groundwater monitoring

Groundwater level monitoring is carried out once a month by the 9 Watershed (Basin) Agencies for important and overexploited aquifers. For other aquifers, monitoring is done twice per year. The data are stored in the Hydraulic Department of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Water and Environment and in the Basin Agencies. Important background data also exists in laboratories within universities and research institutes.

Groundwater quality monitoring is carried out once a month by the Basin Agencies. Data are stored in the Basin Agencies and in the Department of Water of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Water and Environment. Monitored parameters are mainly the major elements (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, CO32-, NO3-), heavy metals, and bacteriologic indicators. Important background also exists in laboratories within universities and research institutes.


Transboundary aquifers

The only transboundary aquifer is on the northeastern border, but groundwater resources in this aquifer are very limited.

For further information about transboundary aquifers, please see the Transboundary aquifers resources page


References

The following references provide more information on the geology and hydrogeology of Morocco & Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara). These, and others, can be accessed through the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive

Geology: key references

Geological maps:

Hollard H, Choubert G, Bronner G, Marchand J et Sougy J. 1985. Carte géologique du Maroc, scale 1:1,000,000 (2 sheets), 260. See Catalogue des Publications, Service Carte géol. Maroc, Ministère de l’Energie et des Mines, Direction de la Géologie, Service Documentation et Publications. web : www.mem.gov.ma

IGME. 1971. Mapa geolgica del Sahara occidental, scala 1:200.000, Madrid.

Rjimati E et Zemmouri A. 2002. Carte géologique du Maroc au 1/50 000, feuille d’Awsard. Notice explicative. Notes Mém. Serv. Géol. Maroc, 439 bis, 1-38.

Rjimati E, Zemmouri A et al. 2002. Carte géologique du Maroc au 1/100.000, feuille Imliliy (éd. prov.)

Rjimati E, Zemmouri A et al. 2002. Carte géologique du Maroc au 1/100.000, feuille Smara (éd. prov.).

Main publications:

Arribas A. 1968. El Precámbrico del Sahara español y sus relaciones con la series sedimentarios más modernas. Bol. Geol. Miner. 79, 445-480.

Burkhard M, Caritg S, Helg U, Robert-Charrue C et Soulaimani A. 2006. Tectonics of the Anti-Atlas of Morocco. Comptes Rendus Géosci. 338, 11–24.

Caby R et Kienast JR. 2009. Neoproterozoic and Hercynian metamorphic events in the Central Mauritanides: Implications for the geodynamic evolution of West Africa. J. Afr. Earth. Sci. 53, 122-136.

Choubert G. 1963. Histoire géologique du Précambrien de l’Anti Atlas Marocain. Tome I. Notes et Mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc, vol. 162, 352 p.

Davison I. 2005. Central Atlantic margin basins of North West Africa: Geology and hydrocarbon potential (Morocco to Guinea). Journal of African Earth Sciences.

Destombes J. 1971. L’Ordovicien au Maroc. Essai de synthèse stratigraphique. Mém. BRGM 73, 237-263.

Destombes J, Hollard H and Willefert S. 1985. Lower Palaeozoic rocks of Morocco. In: Holland, C.H. (Ed.), Lower Palaeozoic rocks of North-Western and West-Central Africa. John Wiley, Chichester, pp. 91–336.

Deynoux M, Sougy J and Trompette R. 1985. Lower Palaeozoic rocks of West Africa and western part of Central Africa. In: Holland H. (Ed.), Lower Palaeozoic rocks of north-western and west central Africa, Wiley & Sons, 337-495.

El Albani A, Kuhnt W, Luderer F, Herbin JP and Caron M. 1999. Palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Late Cretaceous sequence in the Tarfaya Basin (southwest of Morocco). In: Cameron N.R., Bate R.H., Clure V.S. (Eds.), The oil and gas habitats of the South Atlantic. Geol. Soc. London Spec. Pub. 153, 223-240.

Fabre J. 2005. Géologie du Sahara occidental et central. Tervuren Afr. Geosci. Coll. 108, 572 pp.

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Hydrogeology: key references

Key sources of online information:

https://www.water.gov.ma

https://www.mem.gov.ma


Reports and publications:

Agoussine M et Bouchaou L. 2004. Les problèmes majeurs de la gestion de l’eau au Maroc. Science et changements planétaires / Sécheresse. Numéro 15, volume 2, 187-94.

Alaoui M. 2013. Water sector in Morocco: situation and perspectives. Journal of Water Resources and Ocean Science; 2(5): 108-114

Benaabidate L and Fryar AE. 2010. Controls on Ground Water Chemistry in the Central Couloir Sud Rifain, Morocco. Vol. 48, No. 2–GROUND WATER–March-April 2010 (pages 306–319).

Ben Kabbour B, Zouhri L, Mania J and Colbeaux J P. 2007. Assessing groundwater contamination risk using the DASTI/IDRISI GIS method: coastal system of western Mamora, Morocco. Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment. November 2007, Volume 66, Issue 4, p 507.

Bouchaou L, Tagma T, Hsissou Y, Ikenne M, Boutaleb S, Bouragba L, Mudry J and Michelot JL. 2009. Isotopic study of the relationship between surface water and groundwater under a semi-arid climate: case of souss-massa basin (south-western morocco). IAHS Red Book series, Vol. 334, 15.

Bouchaou L, Michelot JL, Qurtobi M, Zine N, Gaye CB, Aggarwal PK, Marah H, Zerouali A, Taleb H and Vengosh A. 2009. Origin and residence time of groundwater in the Tadla basin (Morocco) using multiple isotopic and geochemical tools. Journal of Hydrology, Volume 379, Issues 3–4, 30 December 2009, Pages 323-338

Bouchaou L, Tagma T,Boutaleb S, Hssaisoune M and El Morjani Z. 2011. Climate change and its impacts on groundwater resources in Morocco: the case of the Souss- Massa basin. International Contributions to Hydrogeology: Climate Change Effects on Groundwater Resources: A Global Synthesis of Findings and Recommendations. Editor(s): Holger Treidel & Jose Luis Martin-Bordes. CRC press Taylor & Francis group. IAH Book series, Vol. 27, ISBN: 978-0-415-68936-6. Chap. 8, 129-144 Pages: 414.

Bouchaou L, Michelot JL, Vengosh A, Hsissou Y, Qurtobi M, Gaye CB, Bullen TD and Zuppi GM. 2008. Application of multiple isotopic and geochemical tracers for investigation of recharge, salinization, and residence time of water in the Souss-Massa aquifer, Southwest of Morocco. J. Hydrol. Vol. 352, 267-287.

Boutaleb S, Boualoul M, Bouchaou L and Oudra M. 2008. Application of remote-sensing and surface geophysics for groundwater prospecting in a hard rock terrain, Morocco. Applied Groundwater study in Africa, Taylor and Francis Group Series editors:.IAH Book series, Vol. 13, Chap. 13, 215-231.

Chofqi A, Younsi, Lhadi E, Mania J, Mudry J and Veron A. 2004. Environmental impact of an urban landfill on a coastal aquifer (El Jadida, Morocco). Journal of African Earth Sciences, Volume 39, Issues 3–5, June–August 2004,Pages 509-516

CSEC (Conseil superior de l’Eau et du Climat). 2013. Le Plan National de l’Eau : rapport final. Le Conseil Supérieur de l’Eau et du Climat, Mai 2013, 148 p.

De Jong C, Cappy S, Finckh M and Funk D. 2008. A transdisciplinary analysis of water problems in the mountainous karst areas of Morocco. Engineering Geology, Volume 99, Issues 3–4, 23 June 2008, Pages 228-238

Driouech F, Déqué M and Sánchez-Gómez E. 2010. Weather regimes—Moroccan precipitation link in a regional climate change simulation. Global and Planetary Change 72, 1–10.

El Khalil H, El Hamiani O, Bitton N and Boularbah A. 2008. Heavy metal contamination from mining sites in South Morocco: Monitoring metal content and toxicity of soil runoff and groundwater. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Volume 136, Issue 1-3, pp 147-160

Essahlaoui A, Sahbi H, Bahi L and El-Yamine N. 2001. Reconnaissance de la structure géologique du bassin de saïss occidental, Maroc, par sondages électriques. Journal of African Earth Sciences, Volume 32, Issue 4, May 2001, Pages 777-789

Ettazarini S. 2006. Mapping of groundwater quality in the Turonian aquifer of Oum Er-Rabia Basin, Morocco: a case study. Environmental Geology. Volume 50, Issue 6, pp 919-929.

Ettayfi N, Bouchaou L, Michelot JL, Tagma T, Warner N, Boutaleb S, Massault M, Lgourna Z and Vengosh A. 2012. Geochemical and isotopic (oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, strontium) constraints for the origin, salinity, and residence time of groundwater from a carbonate aquifer in the Western Anti-Atlas Mountains,Morocco. Journal of Hydrology, Volumes 438–439, 17 May 2012, Pages 97-111

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2009. Groundwater Management in Morocco - Draft Synthesis Report (FAO), Rome. https://www.groundwatergovernance.org

Houdret A. The Water Connection: Irrigation, Water Grabbing and Politics in Southern Morocco. Water Alternatives 5(2): 284-303. www.water alternatives.org

Jarar Oulidi H, Benaabidate L, Löwner R and Fryar AE. 2008. Management Strategies of Water Resources in the Arid Zone of South-Eastern Morocco. Climatic Changes and Water Resources in the Middle East and North Africa. Environmental Science and Engineering 2008, pp 227-238

Jarar Oulidi H, Löwner R, Benaabidate L and Joachim W. 2009. HydrIS: An open source GIS decision support system for groundwater management (Morocco). Geo-spatial Information Science. September 2009, Volume 12, Issue 3, pp 212-216.

Khattach D, Keating P, Mili E, Chennouf T, Andrieux P and Milhi A. 2004. Apport de la gravimétrie à l'étude de la structure du bassin des Triffa (Maroc nord-oriental) : implications hydrogéologiques. Comptes Rendus Geoscience, Volume 336, Issue 16, December 2004, Pages 1427-1432

Laftouhi N, Vanclooster M, Jalal M, Witam O, Aboufirassi M, Bahir M and Persoons É. 2003. Groundwater nitrate pollution in the Essaouira Basin (Morocco). Comptes Rendus Geoscience, Volume 335, Issue 3, March 2003, Pages 307-317.

Le Page M, Berjamy B, Fafir Y, Bourgin F, Jarlan L, Abourida A, Benrhanem M, Jacob G, Huber M, Sghrer F, Simonneux V and Chehbouni G. 2012 . An Integrated DSS for Groundwater Management Based on Remote Sensing. The Case of a Semi-arid Aquifer in Morocco. Water Resources Management. Volume 26, Issue 11, pp 3209-3230

Ministere de l'Energie, des Mines, de l'Eau et de l'Environnement. Grands Axes De La Strategie Nationale De L’eau. https://www.environnement.gov.ma/PDFs/EAU/axes_strategie.pdf

Ministere de l'Energie, des Mines, de l'Eau et de l'Environnement. 2012. Politique de l'Eau au Maroc. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/envaccounting/workshops/Morocco2012/mrc2012-12.PDF

Re V, Sacchi E and Allais E. 2013. The Use of Nitrate Isotopes to Identify Contamination Sources in the Bou-Areg Aquifer (Morocco). Procedia Earth and Planetary Science, Volume 7, 2013, Pages 729-732

Re V, Sacchi E, Martin-Bordes JL, Aureli A, El Hamouti N, Bouchnan R and Zuppi GM. 2013. Processes affecting groundwater quality in arid zones: The case of the Bou-Areg coastal aquifer (North Morocco). Applied Geochemistry, Volume 34, July 2013, Pages 181-198

Re V, Sacchi E, Mas-Pla J, Menció A and El Amrani N. 2014. Identifying the effects of human pressure on groundwater quality to support water management strategies in coastal regions: A multi-tracer and statistical approach (Bou-Areg region, Morocco). Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 500–501, 1 December 2014, Pages 211-223

Sardinha J, Carneiro JF, Zarhloule Y, Barkaoui A, Correia A, Boughriba M, Rimi A and El Houadi B. 2012. Structural and hydrogeological features of a Lias carbonate aquifer in the Triffa Plain, NE Morocco. Journal of African Earth Sciences. Vol. 73–74, Pages 24–32

Schilling J, Freier KP, Hertig E and Scheffran J. 2012. Climate change, vulnerability and adaptation in North Africa with focus on Morocco. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 156, 12– 26

Taleb H. 2006. Water management in Morocco. Management of Intentional and Accidental Water Pollution. NATO Security through Science Series 2006, pp 177-180.

UN. 1988. Morocco: in Ground water in North and West Africa. Natural Resources/Water Series No. 18, ST/TCD/5. United Nations Department of Technical Cooperation for Development and Economic Commission for Africa.

Warner N, Lgourna Z, Bouchaou L, Boutaleb S, Tagma T, Hsaissoune M and Vengosh A. 2013. Integration of geochemical and isotopic tracers for elucidating water sources and salinization of shallow aquifers in the sub-Saharan Drâa Basin, Morocco. Applied Geochemistry, Volume 34, July 2013, Pages 140-151

Ziyad A. Gestion des ressources en eau au Maroc : bilan et perspectives. Revue HTE N°142 • Mars - Juin 2009. https://www.anafide.org/doc/HTE%20142/142-6.pdf

Zouhri L. 2001. L'aquifère du bassin de la Mamora, Maroc: geometrie et ecoulements souterrains. Journal of African Earth Sciences, Volume 32, Issue 4, May 2001, Pages 837-850

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Africa Groundwater Atlas >> Hydrogeology by country >> Hydrogeology of Morocco & Western Sahara (Moroccan Sahara)