With a view to informing about the progress of the project for the use of treated wastewater by the Oujda purification station for the irrigation of 1,500 hectares of agricultural land, a meeting was held, last Tuesday, at the province headquarters.
Initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries within the framework of the Development Plan of the Oriental region by 2020, this project aims to contribute to the realization of sustainable development in the Oriental region, notably at the level of border areas. It is part of the efforts aiming to find alternative solutions to the shortage of water resources in the Oriental region which suffers from a lack of rainfall, indicates a press release from the Oujda-Angad province. Presided over by the Wali of the Oriental region, Governor of the Oujda-Angad province, Mohamed Mhidia, this meeting was marked by the presence of two delegations representing the central administrations of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry Delegate in charge of Water, in addition to representatives of the regional directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Moulouya Hydraulic Basin Agency, the Oujda Intercommunal Autonomous Water and Electricity Distribution Authority, and the National Office for Food Safety.
A field visit was then carried out to the Oujda wastewater purification station, whose operation started in 2011, notes the press release, noting that this modern station is characterized by great efficiency in terms of treating water pollution. Thanks to an integrated chain of wastewater treatment processes, this structure produces up to 40,000 cubic meters per day of water rich in minerals and organic matter allowing the irrigation of approximately 1,500 hectares of agricultural land. The Oujda Intercommunal Autonomous Water and Electricity Distribution Authority is in the phase of launching expansion works for this station so that it reaches a daily production capacity of 65,000 cubic meters.
Supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture for a total cost estimated at 200 million DH, the project for the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes constitutes a prelude for the launch of other development projects, specifies the document, adding that this project will be realized in three phases. The first phase, for which the call for tenders will be announced shortly, will allow the irrigation of approximately 550 hectares, while the other two will be put in place in two years. This project is part of the National Strategy for the preservation of water resources and the protection of the environment through the use of alternative and renewable water and energy resources, notes the same source.
