Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly chaired a meeting today to review a number of joint work files between the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation; Eng. Randa El Menshawy, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities; Eng. Ahmed Omran, Deputy Minister of Housing for Utilities; and a number of officials from both ministries.
During the meeting, the participants reviewed the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the two ministries on projects related to the cleaning and maintenance of irrigation canals and drainage networks, securing water supplies for several projects—particularly those under the presidential Decent Life initiative—and the measures being implemented to establish and upgrade drinking water treatment plants.
In this context, Dr. Hani Sewilam stressed the commitment of both ministries to maintaining continuous coordination regarding the determination of water withdrawal quantities and intake locations for drinking water from the Nile River and irrigation canals, while taking into account the capacities of the water sector and the flow rates within the waterways.
He also highlighted the importance of the immediate and continuous exchange of data concerning water withdrawal schedules and volumes. The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation also reviewed the status of studies aimed at securing future drinking water requirements for a number of projects under the presidential Decent Life initiative, as well as several residential and investment projects across various governorates.
In addition, he discussed the requests submitted by the Ministry of Housing to implement groundwater wells for drinking water at a number of development cluster sites, noting that the National Water Research Center has been assigned to prepare the necessary studies in coordination with the Groundwater Sector.
For her part, Eng. Randa El Menshawy praised the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the two ministries, highlighting the vital role played by the Ministry of Housing in meeting citizens’ drinking water needs through the construction of additional water treatment plants to support the country’s urban expansion plans.
The minister of housing explained that the ministry is accelerating the implementation of drinking water and wastewater projects, particularly those under the presidential Decent Life initiative, while ensuring full compliance with all relevant requirements and regulations. This approach, she noted, will help guarantee the sustainability of drinking water services and support the state’s sustainable development goals.
Eng. Ahmed Omran, Deputy Minister of Housing for Utilities, reviewed the Ministry of Housing’s efforts in implementing tertiary wastewater treatment projects and upgrading existing treatment plants, contributing to the production of water that meets the highest quality standards and is suitable for the safe irrigation of parks and green spaces.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the prime minister directed the two ministries to continue their close coordination in order to maximize the efficient use of available water resources, while emphasizing the need to take all necessary measures to protect waterways from pollution.