Morocco’s OCP Group has commissioned the country’s longest water pipeline,a 203-kilometer engineering marvel transporting desalinated water from the Atlantic coast to inland phosphate mining operations,achieving complete water autonomy two years ahead of schedule.
The Jorf Lasfar-Khouribga pipeline,operated by OCP Green Water,represents a MAD 5 billion ($556 million) investment addressing Morocco’s persistent water stress challenges since 2018. The infrastructure transports up to 80 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually through sophisticated pumping stations with 25,000 cubic meter per hour capacity.
“This project was designed and completed in just 24 months,” stated Ahmed Zniber,Director General of OCP Green Water,highlighting the technical achievement of managing an 800-meter elevation difference across the distance. The pipeline comprises 187 kilometers of 1,300-millimeter diameter pipes and 16 kilometers of 600-millimeter sections.
The project delivered substantial socio-economic benefits,creating one million man-days of employment during construction,equivalent to 1,300 daily jobs over two years,with 85 percent local workforce participation. The operational phase maintains 100 permanent positions including desalination operations.
OCP’s broader water strategy extends beyond industrial needs. The company now supplies 30 percent of Casablanca’s water requirements and will eventually provide potable water to Khouribga while supporting agricultural projects. This achievement coincides with Benguerir operations achieving full water autonomy through treated wastewater from Marrakech.
“We are very proud to achieve this milestone as part of OCP’s Sustainability Strategy,” said Hanane Mourchid,Chief Sustainability Officer,noting the liberation of 80 million cubic meters from dam reserves for agricultural use,demonstrating how industrial innovation can address national water security challenges.
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