HIBAPRESS – A. Mahyaoui
With the start of the olive oil pressing season in the Fès-Meknes region, efforts are renewed to mitigate the environmental impacts of olive mill by-products, most notably "marg" (olive mill wastewater), which poses an environmental challenge due to its polluting properties and potential repercussions on water resources and ecological balance, particularly in the Sebou basin.
In this context, the Regional Company for Multi-Services (SRM) Fès-Meknes continues to mobilize its human and logistical resources by implementing a field program aimed at managing olive oil pressing by-products and reducing the risks of discharging wastewater from this process into natural environments, thereby contributing to the protection of groundwater and watercourses, and preserving the quality of water resources in the region.
Seven Stations for Treating Olive Mill By-products
As part of this program, the company relies on the operation of seven stations dedicated to treating "marg," distributed across several provinces in the region. These stations cover a total area of approximately 100 hectares, with a declared total capacity of 522,450 cubic meters.
These facilities are located in Ain البيضاء in the province of Fès, Oulad Jamaa and Oulad Meimoun in the province of Moulay Yacoub, Sefrou and El Menzeh in the province of Sefrou, as well as Ouirgane Baha Mohamed and Tissa in the province of Taounate. This allows for the monitoring of activities related to the olive oil pressing season in several areas known for olive production and processing.
These facilities are of particular importance in reducing the risks of improper disposal of "marg," as its random discharge can lead to the pollution of water and soil, damage the ecological balance, and affect the quality of natural resources upon which the population and local economic activities depend.
Logistical Mobilization and Support for Olive Mill Operators
In parallel with the operation of treatment stations, the company has mobilized a fleet of tanker trucks, along with human resources and logistical capabilities, to ensure the collection of "marg" and to support olive mill operators throughout the season.
These measures are part of an approach aimed at strengthening the environmental management of agricultural and related industrial by-products by providing collection and treatment mechanisms and reducing practices that could result in environmental damage that is difficult to rectify in the medium and long term.
This operation also highlights the importance of coordination among various stakeholders, particularly institutions involved in water management and liquid sanitation, olive mill operators, and local actors, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and achieve a balance between valorizing agricultural products and conserving natural resources.
The Challenge of Sustainability and Shared Responsibility
Given the economic and social importance of the olive sector in the Fès-Meknes region, managing its liquid by-products remains a key challenge related to the sustainability of this activity. This necessitates continued investment in treatment infrastructure, enhanced monitoring and awareness, and the promotion of responsible practices within pressing units.
The mobilization led by SRM Fès-Meknes reflects the importance of adopting a proactive approach to address seasonal environmental risks, which involves providing the necessary equipment, enhancing field readiness, and ensuring the continuity of public services related to water resource protection.
Between the demands of agricultural production and the necessity of environmental preservation, the success of these efforts hinges on the involvement of all stakeholders in a sustainable management system for olive oil pressing by-products, thereby ensuring the protection of the Sebou basin and the conservation of water resources, which are a fundamental pillar of economic and social development in the region.
