UN report flags Morocco among countries at high risk of water shortage

Morocco is among the countries facing severe water shortages that may become permanent, according to a new report from the United Nations University.

The report, Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era, warns that decades of overuse, pollution and climate stress have pushed many water systems into a state from which recovery may no longer be possible.

In Morocco, agriculture is the main driver of water depletion. Farms rely heavily on groundwater, drawing more than the aquifers can naturally replenish.

The problem is not limited to Morocco. Large parts of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, southern Europe, parts of Africa and Australia are also at high risk.

Globally, nearly three-quarters of the population live in countries that are water insecure or critically water insecure.

About 2.2 billion people worldwide lack safely managed drinking water, while 3.5 billion lack safely managed sanitation.

Roughly 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, according to the report.

Water systems have been drawn down beyond sustainable limits. Rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifers have been overused.
The report says farming uses about 70% of the world’s freshwater. Right now, around 3 billion people live in areas where water supplies are shrinking or unstable, and these regions produce more than half of the world’s food.
More than 170 million hectares of farmland that rely on irrigation are under serious water stress. The problem is getting worse because soil and land are breaking down, making it harder for the ground to hold water.
In fact, over half of the world’s farm land is now in poor condition, ranging from moderately damaged to severely degraded.
Pollution and salinization have further reduced the share of water that is safe or usable. Some aquifers have collapsed, wetlands have disappeared, and glaciers that once stored seasonal water are retreating.

The report says improving irrigation efficiency alone will not solve the problem. Countries must reduce overall water demand, change agricultural practices, and protect remaining water sources.