2004年-世界发展银行全球_Kingdom_of_Morocco_-_Recent_Economic_Development_in_Infrastructure___Water_Supply_and_Sanitation_Sector_100页_1mb

Summary of the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector in Morocco (REDI Report, June 2004)

Core Content

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the water supply and sanitation sector in Morocco, focusing on economic developments, institutional frameworks, regulatory practices, and investment needs. It highlights both the progress made and the challenges that remain in achieving the Government of Morocco’s (GOM) ambitious sector goals.

Main Sector Objectives

• Urban Water Supply: Increase access to potable water to 100% by 2008, reduce non-revenue water (NRW) from 34% to less than 20%.
• Rural Water Supply: Raise access to potable water from 50% in 2002 to 92% by 2007.
• Pollution Control: Increase wastewater treatment from 7% in 2004 to 60% by 2010 and 80% by 2015.
• Poverty Reduction: Improve access to water and sanitation for the poor, particularly in rural and informal urban areas.

Key Challenges

• Financing Bottlenecks: An estimated MAD 30.7 billion (US$3.3 billion) is required for investment between 2004 and 2007, which is double the previous four-year level. This poses serious sustainability and feasibility concerns.
• Sector Inefficiencies: Financial sustainability is at risk due to inadequate cost recovery, high NRW, and operational inefficiencies. Water distribution operations are often in deficit, with sales not covering operational and depreciation costs.
• Institutional Fragmentation: The sector lacks a unified regulatory framework, with different rules for each of the three operator types (ONEP, Régies, concessions). This has hindered the development of a coherent policy vision.
• Inadequate Tariff Structures: Tariffs are insufficient to cover costs, and subsidies do not effectively target the poor. Surcharges for social connections are questioned in terms of equity and effectiveness.
• Access Barriers for the Poor: The poor, especially in rural areas (67%) and informal urban settlements (33%), face significant challenges in accessing water and sanitation. Non-connected populations often rely on informal vendors who charge 10 times the utility price.
• Sustainability Concerns in Rural Areas: The expansion of the PAGER program to rural areas may not be sustainable due to the high costs of distribution and O&M in dispersed regions.

Sector Structure and Operators

• Operators:
  • ONEP (Office National de l'Eau Potable): Central actor, responsible for 80% of potable water production and distribution in secondary towns and rural areas. Also manages sanitation in its served areas.
  • Régies: 13 municipally-owned autonomous entities, serving 31% of urban customers.
  • Concessions: 4 private operators, serving 38% of urban customers, including those in coastal cities.
  • Informal Suppliers: Provide water in underserved urban areas, often at higher prices.
• Rural Water Supply Providers: Include users' associations, communes, and small private operators.

Regulatory and Institutional Framework

• Key Institutions:
  • MATEE (Ministère de l'Aménagement du Territoire, de l'Eau et de l'Environnement): Created in 2002 to oversee water resource management.
  • DRSC (Direction des Régies et des Services Concedés): Monitors performance of Régies and concessions.
  • DEPP (Direction des Entreprises Publiques et de la Privatisation): Oversees fiscal aspects and concession contracts.
  • Interdepartmental Commission on Prices: Approves tariff increases.
• Regulatory Weaknesses: The framework is incomplete and inconsistent, with no single agency having a comprehensive regulatory role. Regulatory tools are lacking for public providers, and private providers are regulated primarily by contract.

Financial and Pricing Issues

• Tariff Structures:
  • A unified block tariff applies to all retail water sales, with local variations.
  • Tariffs are generally insufficient to cover operating and depreciation costs.
  • Surcharges for social connections are not effectively targeted.
• Non-revenue Water (NRW): Average NRW is 34%, which is a significant operational and financial burden.
• Subsidies: Ineffective in reaching the poor and creating equitable access.
• Pricing Trends:
  • Tariff increases are necessary, but current mechanisms are not sufficient to generate enough internal resources.
  • The sector requires more efficient pricing strategies to ensure financial sustainability.

Investment Needs and Financing Mechanisms

• Investment Requirements:
  • MAD 30.7 billion (US$3.3 billion) needed for 2004–2007.
  • MAD 7.2 billion for ONEP and MAD 2.1 billion for Régies are required to close the financing gap.
• Financing Sources:
  • Public providers rely on intra-sector transfers (e.g., "solidarity" and "PAGER" surcharges).
  • Private sector participation is growing, but remains limited.
• World Bank Group Opportunities:
  • Provide technical assistance and support for sector reforms.
  • Help develop sustainable sanitation and pollution control models.
  • Assist in improving access to water and sanitation in slums and peri-urban areas.
  • Pilot innovative mechanisms such as Output-Based Aid (OBA) contracts for low-return segments like sewerage.

Performance and Indicators

• Water Access:
  • 82% of the population had access to safe water by 2000.
  • Urban areas have near-universal access, while rural areas lag significantly.
• Sanitation Access:
  • 95% of urban and 42% of rural populations had access to improved sanitation in 2000.
  • Wastewater treatment remains inadequate, with only 7% treated in 2004.
• Non-revenue Water:
  • High levels of NRW (34%) indicate inefficiencies in distribution and leakage.
• Cost and Revenue:
  • Water and sanitation services are often in deficit.
  • Unit revenues are below unit costs, particularly for rural and low-income areas.

Conclusion

The water supply and sanitation sector in Morocco has made progress in service expansion and policy development, but faces significant challenges in financial sustainability, institutional coordination, and regulatory effectiveness. Reforms are necessary to improve efficiency, reduce NRW, and ensure equitable access, particularly for the poor. The World Bank Group is positioned to support these reforms through technical assistance, financing, and innovative mechanisms, helping the sector meet its ambitious goals.