New Cities Launch Major Campaigns to Address Illegal Water Connections and Recover Debts

Egypt’s new cities have recently intensified efforts to combat illegal water connections and recover outstanding debts, aiming to protect public infrastructure and improve services for citizens. This was announced by Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, who emphasized the importance of preserving public utilities in these cities to ensure the highest quality of services and safeguard public funds.

In response to this directive, the Water Theft Committee in New Beni Suef City launched a campaign in the city center, in coordination with the local police and the city’s development and security departments. The campaign resulted in the detection and disconnection of eight illegal water connections used by commercial establishments without meters. Necessary legal actions were taken by the relevant committee.

Engineer Ahmed Abdel Gaber, Head of the New Beni Suef City Authority, confirmed that these campaigns will continue, with constant monitoring to identify and disconnect illegal water connections. Additionally, efforts to collect overdue payments from customers will be intensified to protect public funds.

Similarly, Dr. Mohamed Khalafallah, Head of the New Damietta City Authority, reported that the city’s Water Theft Committee, in cooperation with the development and security departments and the local police, carried out a major campaign in the “Dar Misr” housing project in the Sixth District. This campaign led to the disconnection of 27 illegal water connections and the confiscation of 11 water pumps connected to unauthorized lines without meters. The pumps were handed over to the water revenue department until legal status is rectified, including payment for previous consumption and installation of new meters. The campaign also succeeded in collecting some outstanding debts from residents.

Another campaign in the Fourth District of New Damietta City resulted in the disconnection of 23 illegal connections and the confiscation of three water pumps connected to unauthorized lines without meters. Legal warnings were issued to those with high debts, and further legal actions will be taken if they fail to comply.

Dr. Khalafallah highlighted that these campaigns align with the directives from Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny and Engineer Amin Ghonaim, Vice President of the Authority for Urban Development and City Upgrades, stressing the commitment to protecting public utilities and ensuring high service quality for residents.

Engineer Alaa Abdel-Lah Mostafa, Head of the Tenth of Ramadan City Authority, announced a similar campaign in the Eleventh District, which resulted in the removal of illegal connections and legal actions against violators.

In New Minya City, the operation and maintenance department, in cooperation with the Water Theft Committee, police, and public utilities, inspected illegal connections in the third district, the distinguished district, and the city center. Engineer Ahmed Mostafa, Head of the New Minya City Authority, emphasized that these actions are part of a broader effort to reduce water loss and address illegal connections to the city’s water network. He reiterated the commitment to daily inspections across the city and strict enforcement of laws to prevent any further violations.