The village of Al-Hissa, located in the Tukh center of Qalyubia governorate, Egypt, has been grappling with the absence of a sewage system for nearly six years. Despite residents donating a piece of land for the project, it has yet to be implemented. As a result, five neighborhoods within the village have been dealing with the consequences of accumulated water and the absence of proper sanitation.
The prolonged issue has transformed into a crisis, with water seeping into homes and surrounding lands becoming saturated. This has become a daily burden for residents, who have been forced to adapt to the situation. Some families have even been compelled to abandon their ground floors and relocate to upper levels to escape the water's impact.
The stagnation of water has also led to the growth of algae in areas where water accumulates, sparking concerns among residents about the potential spread of insects and other issues. Residents emphasize that the situation demands urgent attention, as the problem has persisted for years without a definitive solution.
Residents had donated the land for the sewage project six years ago, hoping it would mark the beginning of a resolution to their struggles. However, with the project yet to commence, the issue has only intensified. Al-Hissa residents stress that it is crucial for authorities to intervene and provide a lasting solution to their predicament.
According to resident Hajj Ali Othman, the community is experiencing genuine hardship due to the ongoing water issue. He notes that lands have been waterlogged for years, and water has begun seeping into homes. Othman emphasizes that the residents' decision to donate land for the sewage project was made with the expectation that it would be implemented, but this has yet to occur.
In response to the crisis, the Tukh municipality reported that the sewage project falls under the purview of the Executive Agency for Drinking Water and Sanitation. The municipality claimed to have liaised with the relevant agency to assess the project's status, but no information was provided regarding the project's implementation or the reasons for its delay.
Residents of Al-Hissa continue to hope that the donated land will be transformed into a functional sewage project, bringing an end to their prolonged struggle. They eagerly anticipate the commencement of work, which would provide them with essential sanitation services and protect their homes and lands from the adverse effects of the ongoing water issue.
Key points
- The absence of a sewage system in Al-Hissa village has led to water accumulation, affecting residents' daily lives and prompting concerns about potential health risks.
- Despite donating land for the project, residents have yet to see the implementation of the sewage system, which has been promised for nearly six years.
- The situation in Al-Hissa underscores the need for urgent intervention from authorities to address the sanitation crisis and provide residents with essential services.
