This activity aimed at evaluating the cost of degradation of water resources at the Oum Er- Rbia watershed to help decision makers at national and local level identify and prioritize specific actions to improve the management of the basin through the funding of potential projects related to environmental benefits and reduction of externalities.

Based on 2010 data the cost of degradation of the Oum Er-Rbia is estimated to be equivalent to 7.9% of the GDP of the Basin and 0.8% of Morocco's GDP, and is mainly attributable to waterborne diseases followed by other categories of water and waste related degradation, such as:

-       water quality deterioration ;

-       water quantity  and;

-       poor collection and lack of proper disposal of solid waste

The assessment also identifies the conditions under which specific investments aimed to reduce the degradation of the Oum Er-Rbia River Basin in Morocco become effective and profitable in the long-term.

Based on the cost-benefit analysis of different scenarios related to the three identified priorities for action, namely irrigation efficiency, the provision of water and sanitation in rural areas, and solid waste disposal the following is anticipated:    

• Concerning irrigation efficiency, the profitability of large-scale interventions to reduce technical water losses is certain and could have a positive return on investment after only 5 years
• Investments in the provision of water and sanitation in rural areas are profitable over a 20 year time span and would reduce both water-borne diseases and the pollution of water resources.
• For solid waste management and after considering different scenarios (including a combination of the following:  segregation, recycling, composting and landfilling), only the landfilling in cells and electricity generation alternative is shown to be profitable over a 20 year time span. Although segregation and recycling alternatives are too costly, it is suggested to support decision making through a more in depth analysis focusing not only on cost-benefit criteria but also on social criteria, such as employment creation, poverty reduction, etc., which might justify such interventions.

The assessment also proposes six intervention areas to achieve an integrated management of water resources in the Oum Er-Rbia Basin, based on economic performance and degradation’s costs considerations:

a.    Focusing primarily on efficient investment for domestic pollution control in rural and peri-urban areas which have been neglected in the past.

b.   Considering opportunities to increase agricultural productivity by reducing the impact of salinity.

c.    Gradually shifting the policy of intensifying the exploitation of natural resources.

d.   Planning upstream interventions that reduce siltation of dams.

e.   Set up an information network for decentralized monitoring of the environment and natural resources of the basin in partnership with water and environment institutions.

f.     Consider the creation of an expert group to assess benefits and damages of specific investments in the basin.

The assessment’s outcome was discussed with Moroccan relevant institutions and stakeholders during a National consultation. The feedback received in this occasion has been integrated in the final version of the assessment.

To download the full document (available only in French) click here

To download the Executive summary in English click here

To download a policy note click here for the English or French version.