Egypt's Water Pollution: Recognizing The Problem For Change

Egypt is facing a water crisis, with water scarcity and pollution threatening the health and well-being of its citizens. The country's water resources are under immense pressure due to high population growth, lack of control over water supply sources, and the impacts of climate change. With the Nile River providing 97% of the country's water, the contamination of this vital waterway with sewage, toxic chemicals, fertilizer residues, radioactive waste, and oil pollution is having disastrous consequences. Egypt recognizes the urgency of enhancing water quality management and has identified it as a critical development goal, but the government's efforts have been criticized for lacking transparency and failing to address the country's profound ecological challenges.

Egyptian government's acknowledgement of water pollution

Water sector development is a priority for the Egyptian government due to high annual population growth (2.5%) and a lack of control over water supply sources. Egypt's available water resources are 610 m3 per capita, which falls below the UN's water poverty line of 1,000 m3 per capita.

The Egyptian government has acknowledged the problem of water pollution, particularly in the Nile River, which provides 97% of the country's water. The Nile faces daily pollution from industrial wastewater discharge, pesticidal and chemical fertilizer residue from agricultural applications, agricultural water drainage, radioactive discharge, and oil pollution.

The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights has reported that approximately 38 million people drink from sewage-polluted waters, and that farmlands are irrigated with this water, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, schistosome, and hepatitis. The Egyptian government has also recognized that traditional customs, such as bathing and cleaning animals in the river, contribute to the spread of pollution and disease.

In 2021, the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation unveiled a four-step plan to address the water crisis and reduce the effects of water pollution. The National Water Resources Strategy 2017-2037, with an expected cost of EGP 900 billion ($55 billion), aims to develop water resources through desalination and recycling, enhance water quality, rationalize water use, and create an enabling environment.

The Egyptian government is also working to improve wastewater treatment and disposal, with the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater playing a key role in this regard. Additionally, the government is investing in trash sorting facilities and recycling infrastructure to reduce solid waste, which totaled 89.03 million tons in 2013 and was expected to exceed 100 million tons in 2020.

The Nile's water pollution

The Nile River, stretching 4,132 miles, is Africa's longest river, flowing through 11 countries, including Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan. The Nile is a vital source of water for millions of people in Africa, with many depending on it for drinking, washing, and cooking. It is also essential for economic activities such as agriculture, fishing, transportation, and tourism.

However, the Nile's water is facing significant pollution problems, mainly from industrial and municipal waste, agricultural activities, and human settlement. The river is contaminated with toxic heavy metals, organic contaminants, pesticides, chemical fertilisers, and sewage. These pollutants have severe health impacts on the residents of the Nile Basin, with cases of neurological and reproductive issues, as well as terminal diseases such as cancer and kidney failure, attributed to them.

The Egyptian government has recognised the water crisis and is taking steps to address it. In 2018, the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Mabouly, announced plans to treat wastewater and reuse it for agricultural purposes. Additionally, Egypt-based social enterprise Bassita launched the VeryNile project in 2018, aiming to enhance water management practices and reduce poverty in the Nile River Basin. The country is also investing in solar-powered irrigation systems to improve water governance and reduce water misuse.

Despite these efforts, the Nile's water pollution remains a critical issue. Population growth and increasing urbanisation are expected to escalate pollution in the delta region. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam further complicates the situation, as it is anticipated to disrupt the Nile's sediment flow and reduce the amount of water reaching the Nile delta, impacting agricultural productivity.

The future of water security in Egypt is uncertain, with the country facing an annual water deficit and the possibility of running out of water by 2025. The pollution and scarcity of water in the Nile River pose significant threats to the health, economy, and political stability of Egypt and the surrounding region. Various organisations are working to address these issues through waste management and water treatment initiatives.

Water scarcity

Egypt is currently using more water than its internal renewable resources can supply, and this gap is expected to widen in the future due to rising temperatures, increasing water consumption, and upstream development projects on the Nile. The country's per capita water resources have declined dramatically since 1947, falling below the UN's threshold of 1,000 m3/year deemed necessary for drinking, agriculture, and nutrition. This has resulted in Egypt importing about 55% of its food, a figure expected to climb to 75% once the GERD is complete.

The overuse of water resources in Egypt has led to the depletion of aquifers and seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, resulting in deteriorating water quality and an increase in water-borne diseases. Egypt's water scarcity is exacerbated by pollution, with the Nile facing daily pollution problems from industrial wastewater discharge, pesticide and chemical fertilizer residue from agriculture, agricultural water drainage, radioactive discharge, and oil pollution.

The Egyptian government has recognized the severity of the issue and is working to address water scarcity through various measures, including constructing new water treatment plants, implementing water conservation initiatives, and developing new water resources. However, these efforts are hindered by political instability, economic challenges, and limited financial resources. Egypt's water scarcity has serious implications for its economy, food security, and political stability, and it is crucial for the government to prioritize sustainable water management to mitigate these risks.

Sewage and industrial waste

Sewage Pollution

Egypt's growing population, currently estimated at over 100 million, has put immense pressure on the country's water resources and waste management systems. The lack of proper waste management has resulted in sewage-polluted water, with approximately 38 million Egyptians relying on such water for drinking and irrigation. This has contributed to the spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, schistosomiasis, and hepatitis.

Traditional customs, such as bathing and cleaning animals in the river, further facilitate the spread of sewage pollution. The high volume of sewage also raises the risk of groundwater and seawater contamination, threatening marine life and ecosystems.

Industrial Wastewater

The expansion of industrial establishments and factories in Egypt has led to a significant increase in industrial wastewater. This wastewater, when discharged untreated into sewage networks, can have severe consequences. It can contaminate groundwater, seawater, and marine life, and raise the level of sewage pollution to dangerous levels.

The treatment of industrial wastewater differs from that of sewage, and failure to treat it appropriately can lead to contamination and health risks. For example, the discharge of industrial wastewater can cause erosion in the sewage networks and fail to address industrial hazards. Additionally, untreated industrial wastewater can contain heavy metals and other toxic substances, which are harmful to human health, especially for children who are more vulnerable to their effects.

Government Initiatives

The Egyptian government has recognized the urgency of addressing water pollution and is taking steps to improve waste management and water sector development. The Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) plays a crucial role in drinking water purification, wastewater collection and treatment, and sludge treatment services. They work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities to expand their services to industrial areas.

The 2019-2023 executive plan for solid waste recycling aims to attract investments for developing infrastructure for trash sorting facilities in several governorates. Additionally, the National Water Resources Strategy 2017-2037, with an expected cost of $55 billion, outlines a four-pillar approach: developing water resources (desalination and recycling), enhancing water quality, rationalizing water use, and creating an enabling environment.

Environmental impact studies

Egypt is facing a critical environmental juncture, with climate change posing grave risks to its economy, sovereignty, and stability. The country is already using more water than its internal renewable resources can supply, and water stress is expected to increase due to population growth, rising temperatures, and increasing water consumption. The Nile, which is the primary daily source of water for most Egyptian cities and citizens, faces daily pollution problems from various sources, including industrial wastewater discharge, pesticide and chemical fertilizer residue from agricultural applications, agricultural drainage, radioactive discharge, and oil pollution.

The Egyptian government has acknowledged the issue of water pollution and is attempting to curb it to increase usable water resources. However, outside the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE), water quality control is not a top priority, and these departments often lack internal support. The National Water Resources Strategy 2017-2037 aims to address Egypt's water-related challenges over the next 20 years with a budget of about $55 billion. It focuses on developing water resources through desalination and recycling, enhancing water quality, rationalizing water use, and creating an enabling environment.

The Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) is primarily responsible for drinking water purification, desalination, and distribution, as well as wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. In 2013, Egypt generated a total of 89.03 million tons of solid waste, and the 2019-2023 executive plan for solid waste recycling includes attracting investments to develop the infrastructure for trash sorting facilities in several cities.

Despite these efforts, independent scrutiny and public debate on environmental impact are hindered by the lack of access to relevant data and studies. This violates Article 68 of the Egyptian constitution, which guarantees citizens' right to information. While some information is available on Egypt's projects map website, it is limited to basic details. It is often easier to find environmental impact studies on the websites of foreign donors conducting development projects in the country.

In addition to water pollution, Egypt also faces the issue of plastic pollution, which has severe consequences for biodiversity, public health, and the economy. Plastic waste is found in water bodies such as the Red Sea, the Nile River, and the Mediterranean Sea, posing a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. Plastic pollution also impacts Egypt's tourism industry, as it affects the country's appeal as a historical and ecotourism destination.

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