Morocco Unveils Record-breaking Desalinated Water Pipeline to Power World’s Largest Phosphate Mine

Morocco has launched a major water infrastructure project: the Jorf Lasfar-Khouribga (J2K) pipeline.

The 200-kilometer pipeline will carry desalinated water from the Atlantic coast to Khouribga, which hosts the world’s largest phosphate mine.

The project is run by OCP Green Water (OGW), a unit of the state-owned OCP Group, and marks a critical move toward the country’s long-term water independence and environmental goals.

According to OCP, this is the first infrastructure in Morocco capable of transporting desalinated water across such a long distance.

It directly addresses the nation’s water crisis, which has affected the region since 2018, and supports Morocco’s broader strategy to grow non-conventional water resources.

“We started this in 2008. By 2015, we used to have the biggest desalination platform in Morocco, producing 25 million cubic metres per year,” said Hanane Mourchid, Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer and member of OCP Group’s Strategic Committee, in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN).

The pipeline is designed to carry up to 80 million cubic meters of desalinated water each year.

It not only supports OCP’s mining operations but also supplies clean drinking water to the city of Khouribga.

The J2K pipeline connects the Jorf Lasfar desalination plant to Khouribga through 187 kilometers of 1,300-millimeter pipes and 16 kilometers of 600-millimeter sections.

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Equipped with high-capacity pumping stations, the system can transport up to 25,000 cubic meters of water per hour.

It is the first of its kind in the country to deliver desalinated water over such a long stretch.

Beyond industrial use, the project had a wide-reaching impact during its construction phase, generating about one million man-days of labor.

This averaged 1,300 jobs per day for two years, with 85% of workers hired locally.

OCP also reached full water autonomy at its Benguerir site using treated wastewater from Marrakech.

This milestone, achieved on June 15, 2025, pushed the company to meet its target of using 100% non-conventional water two years ahead of its original 2027 deadline.

The J2K pipeline is designed with long-term plans in mind.

Apart from powering phosphate production, it will also provide drinking water to Khouribga and nearby towns.

OCP Green Water has already secured desalinated water supplies for cities like Safi, El Jadida, and the southern part of Casablanca.

The pipeline will also help support high-value agriculture and promote food security and sustainable rural development.

With this project, Morocco is showing its commitment to climate resilience, sustainable industry, and equal access to water, a critical resource in today’s fast-changing world.

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Image Credit: Sputnik

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