Circular and Resilient Urban Water Management: A Compendium of Solutions for Local and Regional Authorities

Initiative for Circular Water Resilience in Urban Areas in Morocco

August 2025

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability

To download : fr_digital_ucwri_compendium_compressed.pdf (8.4 MiB)

Global context and challenges : a water crisis with many facets

Water, the source of life, is today at the heart of a multidimensional crisis that threatens the stability of modern societies. According to the United Nations, half the world’s population suffers from severe water scarcity for at least one month a year, whilst a quarter live in countries where water resources are structurally insufficient. This pressure, which is particularly acute in Africa and Asia, is worsening under the combined effect of climate change, uncontrolled urbanisation and unsustainable management practices.

The consequences are clear: overexploitation of groundwater, industrial pollution of watercourses, obsolete treatment infrastructure, and increased vulnerability among the poorest populations, who are often deprived of access to safe water. Extreme events – prolonged droughts or torrential rains – are becoming the norm, highlighting the urgent need for action. Against this backdrop, cities – which now account for more than half of the world’s population – must rethink their development model to incorporate water resilience as a cornerstone of their survival and prosperity.

Morocco, a country emblematic of these challenges, epitomises the tensions between population growth, urban expansion and limited resources. With a renewable freshwater supply of 606 m³ per capita per year – a figure set to fall to 510 m³ by 2050 – the kingdom lies well below the water stress threshold of 1,700 m³. Moroccan cities, such as Casablanca and Rabat, face increased risks of shortages, aquifer pollution and imbalances between supply and demand, exacerbated by fragmented management and ageing infrastructure.

In light of this reality, Morocco has made sustainable water management a national priority. The National Programme for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation (PNAEPI 2020–2027), the first phase of the National Water Plan (PNE 2020–2050), sets out an ambitious roadmap to modernise infrastructure, promote the reuse of wastewater, and protect natural resources. At the same time, the development in 2025 of a national roadmap for the circular economy signals a commitment to transitioning towards more sustainable models, where water is no longer a waste product but a resource to be valued.

The principles of circular water management : a revolution underway

Circular water management is based on a simple yet revolutionary philosophy : closing the water cycle to maximise efficiency and minimise waste. This model is built around five fundamental pillars :

• Reuse : Transforming treated wastewater into a valuable resource for irrigation, industry or other non-potable uses.

• Reducing losses : Minimising leaks in distribution networks and making the most of every available drop of water.

• Ecosystem restoration : Protecting groundwater, wetlands and watercourses to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.

• Urban integration : Designing cities where green infrastructure (green roofs, retention basins) and blue infrastructure (canals, lakes) play a central role in water management.

• Community participation : Involving citizens, businesses and institutions in collaborative governance.

This approach offers numerous benefits : increased resilience to climate-related hazards, reduced water supply costs, improved urban environmental quality, and the creation of new economic opportunities through innovative funding and partnership models.

The 12 case studies : an overview of innovative solutions

The case studies¹ presented in this collection are organised into three thematic chapters, each illustrating a distinct aspect of circular and resilient water management.

(see the 12 fact sheets via the link)

Chapter 1 : Decentralised, local and participatory systems

Small-scale, community-based solutions that demonstrate how decentralisation can promote circularity whilst strengthening social inclusion. Notable examples include :

• Sumida (Japan) : A neighbourhood-scale rainwater harvesting network, linked to natural disaster preparedness and civic engagement.

• eThekwini (South Africa) : DEWATS (decentralised wastewater treatment) systems in informal settlements, combining sanitation, water reuse and energy generation.

• La Quebradora (Mexico): A multi-purpose park combining flood management, water harvesting and environmental education.

• Kenitra (Morocco): A university-run wastewater treatment plant where treated wastewater is reused for the irrigation of green spaces.

Chapter 2 : Urban Integration and Regenerative Planning

This chapter highlights projects in which water becomes a key element of urban planning, contributing to ecological regeneration and the creation of sustainable public spaces. Among the flagship initiatives :

• Shenzhen (China) : The ‘Sponge City’ programme, which incorporates wetlands, canals and infiltration systems to enhance flood resilience.

• Googong (Australia) : A fully integrated water cycle in a new town, utilising dual networks and rainwater harvesting.

• Malmö (Sweden) : The Augustenborg eco-neighbourhood, redeveloped with green roofs and open stormwater management systems.

• Tunis (Tunisia) : The rehabilitation of North Lake, transforming a degraded lagoon into a hub for sustainable urban development.

• Zenata (Morocco) : An eco-city where green and blue corridors promote groundwater recharge and climate resilience.

Chapter 3 : Centralised circular systems and resource recovery

This chapter explores large-scale solutions, where water reuse and resource recovery become drivers of industrial and urban development. Examples include :

• Greater Santiago (Chile) : Bio-plants that convert wastewater into energy, clean water and agricultural by-products.

• Surat (India) : A partnership between public utilities and industry to channel treated wastewater to textile factories, thereby conserving fresh water.

• Safi (Morocco) : A circular model combining seawater desalination and wastewater reuse in the phosphate industry.

Lessons for Moroccan cities : concrete avenues for action

The case studies presented in this collection offer valuable lessons for Moroccan cities, which face similar challenges in terms of water stress, rapid urbanisation and climate vulnerability. Here are the key takeaways :

• Act early and integrate water planning from the design stage of urban projects : Integrating circular strategies – wastewater reuse, green and blue infrastructure, nature-based solutions, rainwater harvesting, redundant networks – helps avoid costly retrofits and reduces pressure on centralised infrastructure. Developing cities, such as Zenata and Safi, demonstrate how early planning can turn challenges into opportunities.

• Create enabling regulatory environments : All the success stories featured in this compendium were underpinned by clear mandates, strict standards (for example, for redundant networks) and institutional support that reduced investment risks. In Morocco, where regulatory frameworks are still under development, this lesson is particularly relevant for encouraging the adoption of innovative solutions.

• Promoting private investment under public oversight : Many projects, such as those in Googong (Australia), Zenata (Morocco) and Safi (Morocco), were funded by developers or industry under negotiated agreements, whilst public authorities took responsibility for long-term operation or oversight. This public-private partnership (PPP) model can be replicated in Morocco to mobilise additional resources and accelerate the implementation of circular economy projects.

• Prioritise communication and education : Public acceptance of reuse systems depends on clear communication, the involvement of schools and the visibility of the infrastructure. The examples of Googong, Sumida and Santiago show how effective awareness-raising can overcome reluctance and encourage the adoption of new practices.

• Design to achieve multiple co-benefits : Combining water reuse with green spaces, urban cooling or education helps to justify investments and increase their impact. Projects such as La Quebradora (Mexico), Augustenborg (Sweden) and Zenata (Morocco) illustrate how water infrastructure can also improve quality of life and strengthen social cohesion.

• Investing in local capacity : Local authorities and public services that have invested in staff training, stakeholder engagement and institutional learning have been more successful in implementing their projects. The examples of Googong, eThekwini and Santiago highlight the importance of strengthening local skills to ensure the sustainability of initiatives.

Taken together, these lessons show that circular urban water management systems are not only technically feasible, but can also be economically viable and socially accepted, provided they are supported by rigorous planning, inclusive governance and appropriate funding frameworks. For Moroccan cities, particularly those undergoing development or densification, this compendium serves as a practical resource to guide their future investments in water resilience.

Sources

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