Egyptian Minister of Water Resources Inspects Siwa Oasis Water System

Egyptian Minister of Water Resources, Hani Suwelim, recently visited Siwa Oasis in Matruh Governorate to assess the current state of the water system. He was accompanied by Mohamed Zamlot, Governor of Matruh. During the visit, Suwelim inspected the canal that transports agricultural drainage water from Siwa Lake to the Ein El-Genbi depression in the east of the oasis. He also examined the newly completed Ghazalat pumping station.

Suwelim met with local leaders, including sheikhs and representatives of water users in Siwa, to discuss their concerns and proposals for further development in the oasis. The minister listened to their requests and ideas on how to maintain the progress made in restoring the environmental balance in Siwa. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Ministry of Water Resources, local authorities, and residents to address the challenges facing the oasis.

The minister instructed the formation of a committee, comprising Cairo University and relevant stakeholders, to discuss proposals and examine the situation of new agricultural areas in the oasis. This committee will also assess the amount of agricultural drainage water generated by these new areas. Suwelim directed the inventory of flood irrigation in Siwa Oasis and the implementation of measures to encourage farmers to adopt modern irrigation methods.

Suwelim stressed the need to strengthen water user associations in Siwa Oasis to regulate and monitor the irrigation and drainage system. He also instructed the implementation of a rotational irrigation schedule between different wells to conserve water and ensure that all users receive their allocated shares. Furthermore, the minister ordered the closure of two unauthorized wells that were depleting the groundwater in the oasis.

The minister requested that the relevant authorities continue to monitor the situation in Siwa Oasis and implement measures to prevent over-extraction of groundwater. He also emphasized the importance of using telemetric systems to monitor water levels in the oasis. Suwelim previously noted that the current development efforts aim to restore the environmental balance in Siwa Oasis, in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives.

The efforts in Siwa Oasis involve collaboration between the Ministry of Water Resources, Cairo University, and local stakeholders. Recent projects have included the construction of a 33.7-kilometer open channel to transport agricultural drainage water to the Ein El-Genbi depression. Additionally, 12 deep wells have been drilled to produce freshwater from the Nubian sandstone aquifer, which is mixed with surface water.

The situation in Siwa Oasis has shown signs of improvement, with the water level in Siwa Lake stabilizing, indicating a better water management system. The projects implemented in the oasis aim to achieve a balance between water extraction and safe water levels in the agricultural drainage lakes. These efforts have contributed to the recovery of the oasis after years of deterioration.

Key points

• The Egyptian government is working to restore the environmental balance in Siwa Oasis through various development projects.
• The Ministry of Water Resources is collaborating with local stakeholders and Cairo University to address the challenges facing the oasis.
• The projects in Siwa Oasis aim to improve the water management system and promote sustainable agricultural practices.