Loukkos Water Basin Agency warns olive oil mills of water pollution

The Loukkos Water Basin Agency launched a field awareness campaign on Wednesday to highlight the impact of olive oil mill waste on water resources in the north.

The campaign targeted 112 mills across the various provinces of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region.

The agency confirmed that the campaign is expected to start in the province of Tetouan, which has 15 mills, then move on to Chefchaouen with 11 mills, before reaching the province of Ouazzan, which has the largest number of olive oil mills at 54, followed by Al Hoceima with 12, and finally Larache with 20 mills spread across its vast territory.

Last year, the olive pressing season saw the recording of 16 reports of violations committed by mill owners against the water resources of the region, according to data obtained by Hespress Ar from the Agency.

The same data confirmed that no reports or violations have been recorded so far this olive pressing season. These reports are usually referred to the judiciary, which handles them and issues appropriate judgments.

Regarding the pollution caused by mill waste, the Loukkos Water Basin Agency confirmed that the Loukkos River is “the most polluted river with this waste.”

It argued that olive mill waste affecting water resources and groundwater begins in Souk El Had in Chefchaouen, then in the Ouazzan province, known for olive oil, and reaches Laarach, threatening the Loukkos River.

The same source explained that the Wadi Makhazen dam is one of the sites threatened by pollution from mill waste, and the awareness campaign aims to protect it.

It’s worth noting that the agency has identified the impact of olive oil mill waste on water resources and the environment as the pollution of rivers and valleys with liquid waste from olive oil mills, the negative impact on dam water used for drinking and irrigation, and the decline in groundwater quality due to leakage, as well as the deterioration of surface water quality due to high levels of organic matter and fats.

The same source has also warned of the threat to ecological balance as a result of the impact on aquatic organisms, as well as the increased burden on wastewater treatment plants.

The agency strictly prohibits mill owners from discharging olive mill waste into watercourses and urges them to adhere to the authorized daily olive pressing quantity, in addition to building treatment basins for wastewater that meet the applicable technical standards, and not exceeding the capacity of completed basins.

Regarding the legal consequences of discharging mill waste into the natural environment, under Law No. 36-15, and specifically Articles 2, 98, and 104 of Water Law No. 36.15, any person who “discharges polluted water into the natural environment is obligated to compensate for the damages caused to water and public water domain per the principle of the polluter pays. Offenders are subject to a financial penalty ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 MAD under Article 147.”