Egyptian Deputy Housing Minister for Utilities Ahmed Emran conducted a comprehensive field tour in the Red Sea governorate to oversee the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems. The tour was carried out in line with directives from Housing Minister Randa El-Manshawi to enhance the efficiency of water and wastewater services. Emran was accompanied by several high-ranking officials, including Mustafa El-Shimy, chairman of the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater.
The delegation began their tour in the city of Safaga, inspecting the Safaga water desalination plant, which has a capacity of 7,000 cubic meters per day. They reviewed the plant's operation, production stages, and maintenance plans. The team also visited the site of the new Safaga water desalination plant, which will have a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters per day. The new plant is part of the state's plan to expand seawater desalination projects in coastal governorates.
Emran emphasized the importance of accelerating the implementation of projects according to specified timelines while ensuring energy efficiency. He highlighted the need to benefit from solutions and technologies that achieve optimal operational and economic efficiency for desalination plants. The team also inspected the tertiary treatment plant in Safaga, which has a capacity of 90,000 cubic meters per day. They reviewed the plant's components, operation stages, and the use of treated wastewater for irrigating tree forests.
The delegation then visited the new Dehar water pumping station, which includes two 10,000 cubic meter storage tanks. They reviewed the station's operation, control room, and maintenance procedures. The station serves over 25% of the daily water needs of Hurghada city. The team also inspected the El-Yusr water desalination plant, which has a production capacity of 80,000 cubic meters per day. They reviewed the plant's operation, production rates, and energy consumption.
Mustafa El-Shimy stated that the field tour aimed to assess the actual operational efficiency of plants and networks, ensuring their sustainability and performance. He emphasized the importance of adhering to preventive and periodic maintenance plans and continuously monitoring operational indicators. El-Shimy also highlighted the significance of water quality in all production stages, ensuring it meets health and environmental standards.
Amin Shouki, head of the National Water and Wastewater Authority, stressed the importance of coordination among concerned parties to implement projects according to specified timelines and technical specifications. He highlighted the role of desalination projects in meeting the water needs of coastal governorates. Asim Shaker, deputy chairman of the Holding Company, emphasized the need to apply standard operational and maintenance procedures at plants and continuously monitor equipment conditions.
The tour also included inspecting the "H" wastewater treatment plant in Hurghada, which has a design capacity of 117,000 cubic meters per day. The team reviewed the plant's operation, customer service procedures, and the company's plans to develop water and wastewater services in the governorate. The officials emphasized the importance of providing high-quality services to citizens, responding promptly to their requests, and complaints.
Key points
- Deputy Housing Minister Ahmed Emran inspects water and wastewater systems in Red Sea governorate
- Egypt's government aims to expand seawater desalination projects in coastal governorates
- Officials emphasize the importance of energy efficiency, water quality, and standard operational procedures in water and wastewater services
