Morocco Implements Landmark Dam Perforation to Combat Water Stress in Marrakech

Morocco has executed a significant engineering achievement by commissioning a new water intake system at the Al Massira dam to meet the growing demand for drinking water in Marrakech and surrounding areas. Located approximately 120 kilometers from the city, the Al Massira dam is the country’s second-largest water reservoir with a storage capacity of 2.6 billion cubic meters.

Engineers completed a controlled perforation of the dam wall, an operation considered rare globally and the first of its kind in Africa. The drilled conduit, measuring 2.5 meters in diameter and 10 meters deep, now enables water to be conveyed through a pipeline network at a rate of seven cubic meters per second. This initiative forms part of a broader program valued at €150 million, co-financed by the African Development Bank, aiming to secure drinking water for over two million people in the region.

The full scope of the project includes a 125-kilometer pipeline, three pumping stations with a total power of 27 MVA, and seven storage tanks with a combined volume of 93,000 cubic meters. Additional components include a water treatment station, a de-sludging facility, and a 40 MVA transformer station supported by 28 kilometers of high-voltage power lines.

A 40-meter-high underwater cofferdam, weighing more than 250 tonnes, was constructed to create a dry working environment during the drilling process. A 100-tonne concrete block was successfully extracted to complete the intake system, with extensive structural analysis conducted to ensure dam integrity.

The success of the Al Massira dam perforation sets a benchmark for similar water supply solutions across Africa. It supports Morocco’s broader water strategy and aligns with national and regional initiatives to improve resilience against water scarcity and climate-induced challenges.