Study finds water policies in Morocco and Jordan falling short despite heavy spending

Water policies in Morocco and Jordan are not delivering on their promises, even after billions were poured into infrastructure projects like dams, says new research led by political science professor Youssef Eddahraji of Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech.

The study points to deeper problems behind the shortfall in water policies as decisions about water have often been driven more by political and security concerns than by long-term sustainability or fairness. As a result, the study says, gaps between regions have widened and social inequalities have grown.

The research looks at how water policies evolved in Morocco and Jordan and examines whether those strategies actually worked.

One key finding is that water management has increasingly shifted from being treated as a public right to more of an economic commodity.

According to the study, this shift, which is influenced in part by international financial institutions, has weakened the state’s role in guaranteeing access to water. Instead, water has become a space where private interests compete.

The research says that the role of privatization, delegated management and local development companies in running water services is growing. While these approaches were meant to improve efficiency, the study says they often lacked proper oversight and accountability.

Another major issue facing water policies and management is the absence of strong, coordinated planning.

The study found that weak evaluation systems and limited accountability mechanisms have made water challenges worse, especially as climate change, population growth and urban expansion increase pressure on already scarce resources.

The study criticizes what it describes as “random investment” in farming, where private actors can choose crops without enough regulation. This, it says, has led to overuse of water and environmental damage.

The research warns about groundwater depletion and calls for stricter controls, such as requiring permits for well drilling based on environmental impact assessments and available data.

The study says governments need to show stronger commitment and work more closely across areas like farming and public health.

Companies running water services also need tighter oversight, and prices should be capped so people can actually afford water.

The study also warns that current farming practices aren’t sustainable and that spreading genetically modified crops could hurt the soil and even affect public health.