Reuse of Wastewater in Mediterranean Region, Egyptian Experience

Abstract

Abstract Water scarcity in the Mediterranean region is one of the most serious issues. A number of reasons are behind this situation, which include, but are not restricted to, the relatively uneven distribution of precipitation, high temperatures, increased demands for irrigation water, and impacts of tourism. Climate change is expected to aggravate the situation even more. The use of wastewater is one of the most sustainable alternatives to cope with water shortage. It would have a number of advantages that include closing the gap between supply and demand, stopping the pollution of fresh water resources, providing sound solution to water scarcity and climate change, and helping to achieve Millennium Development Goals. With Egypt, trying to cope with water shortage issues, The Ministry of Water Resources, MWRI has developed a National Water Resources Plan, with wastewater reuse as a central mechanism. At present, there are more than 200 wastewater treatment plants in the country. Urban coverage of improved sanitation gradually increased from 45% in 1993 to 56% in 2004. In contrast, rural sanitation coverage remains incredibly low at 4%. The low coverage, in combination with a sub-optimal treatment, results in some problems of water pollution and degradation of health conditions because the majority of villages and rural areas discharge their raw domestic wastewater directly into the waterways. Drainage water reuse is practiced on a very large scale. The official reuse of agricultural drainage water in irrigation amounted to 4.84 km3/year in 2001. The present aim of the Government of Egypt is to reuse up to 8 km3/year in new reclamation areas in the near future. Meanwhile, El Salam canal, one of the mega projects in Egypt is transferring a mix of fresh Nile water and wastewater to Sinai, to irrigate thousands of newly reclaimed areas.