In a concerted effort to tackle illegal water connections, the Egyptian Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities has launched a series of inspection campaigns in new cities across the nation. Minister Sherif El-Sherbiny highlighted ongoing efforts to monitor water companies and city authorities to address unauthorized water connections, improve billing processes, and promote water conservation.
Engineer Mohamed Khalafallah, Head of the New Damietta City Authority, reported that the city’s “Hidden Connections Committee,” in collaboration with the Urban Development Police, recently conducted a major inspection at Site 2 of the “Dar Misr” middle-income housing project in the sixth district. The operation resulted in the disconnection of 33 illegal water connections and the seizure of 22 unregistered water pumps used without meters. Confiscated pumps were handed over to the water revenue department, with violators required to settle past dues and pay for new meters.
Khalafallah also noted that the campaign succeeded in collecting outstanding bills, emphasizing the continuation of these inspections to ensure all water connections are metered and that dues are collected for New Damietta’s housing projects.
In New Minya, Engineer Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed, Head of the New Minya City Authority, reported similar campaigns in coordination with the Urban Development Police and Facility Police. Authorities inspected various districts, including commercial outlets in the fourth district’s malls and small industrial plots in the fifth district. Mostafa affirmed that the campaign aligns with efforts to reduce water loss and prevent unauthorized use, with daily patrols planned to curb infringements on public utilities.
Meanwhile, Engineer Yasser Abdel Halim Hassan, Head of the Sadat City Authority, announced a comprehensive campaign to eliminate illegal water connections, conducted in partnership with the Urban Development and Facility Police. Abdel Halim underscored the campaign’s objectives to minimize water wastage, enhance service quality, and ensure fair access to water resources for all citizens.
He urged residents to report any violations, stressing that the campaign aims to secure sustainable water resources for Sadat City. The city authority will strictly enforce regulations, with legal measures to be applied to all violators.