Morocco Launches Water Police to Supervise Use of Water Resources

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Morocco Launches Water Police to Supervise Use of Water Resources

Morocco has established a new police unit that will be entrusted with supervising the use of water resources in the kingdom.

First established in 1995, the water police will finally become operational in 2018. Equipped with material support and judicial authorization, 200 agents will start inspecting water resources throughout Morocco.

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Image source: Morroco World News

The problem is not new but a host of threats have made the issue critical. Global climate change, water misuse in various sectors of society, depletion of some aquifers, and widespread public ambivalence have all played a role.

The National Economic, Social and Environmental Council (NESEC) on water management in Morocco reported in 2014 on the need for a comprehensive and integrated water resources management plan. The council described water resources management as chaotic.

Dispatched through ten watershed agencies, units of the water police will be responsible to oversee water use across a given region.

In collaboration with the judiciary branch of the government, the water police’s main task will consist of combating the misuse of water resources and the supervision of appropriate utilization of the public hydraulic domain including lakes, ponds, lagoons, and marshes.

These unites will also have jurisdiction for moving fresh and sea water resources, streams of all kinds whether natural or artificial, permanent or non-permanent, as well as rivers, springs, boreholes, irrigation canals, seguias, dikes, reservoirs and dams.

Alluvium, sand, rocks and other natural elements that form near watercourses and hydraulic structures and sources will also be part of the police agency’s inspection program.

The misuse and exploitation of the public domain without prior authorization or concession and the sabotage of hydraulic structures will be the subject of prosecution and fines, if warranted.

As part of their control mission, the water agents can issue tickets, suspend work and confiscate water diversion equipment. The agents will not have the authorization of a judicial police officer (OPJ) to make arrests. But they may, if necessary, work in partnership with police and judicial officers on enforcement of regulations.

The water police will prepare reports against offenders on the basis of the articles of Law 36-15 on water and its Criminal Code. Offenses can lead to sanctions, including the withdrawal of authorization, repeal of concession contracts and the suspension of work or judicial sanctions, such as fines or custodial sentences.

Once registered, the report will be submitted, within 10 days, by the central administration or the watershed agencies to the public prosecutor who will decide on the civil or criminal proceedings.

Read full article: Morroco World News

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