Chaima Aglagal(1)*, Mohammed Hssaisoune(1,2,3), Yassine Ait Brahim(3), Nisrine Nouj(4), Mohammed El Hafyani(1), Houria Abahous(1), Soumia Gouahi(1), Abdelwahed Chaaou(3), Moussa Ait El Kadi(1), Hamza Ait-Ichou(1) and Lhoussaine Bouchaou(1,3)
1. Applied Geology and Geo-Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, 80035, Morocco
2. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, B.O. 6146 Azrou District, 86153, Ait Melloul, Morocco
3. Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, International Water Research Institute, Ben Guerir, 43150, Morocco
4. Laboratory of Materials and Environment (LME), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Water scarcity is a major challenge worldwide, especially in regions with dry climates. The Souss-Massa region in Morocco is one of the areas most affected, with very low rainfall, increasing droughts, and declining groundwater levels. Because traditional water sources are no longer sufficient, the region introduced large-scale seawater desalination to supply both irrigation and drinking water. Since 2022, desalinated water has been mixed into the drinking water system of Agadir. This change has raised questions about how people perceive the quality of this new water source. The objective of this study is to understand how residents from different neighborhoods of Agadir perceive the introduction of desalinated drinking water, to compare their views before and after 2022, and to evaluate whether the population accepts or rejects this new water supply option.