GROUNDWATER AS STRATEGIC WATER RESOURCES AND ITS
CONTRIBUTION TO THE EGYPTIAN NATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Ahmed Ragab Allam, Ph.D.
Rain Fall and Floods River Nile
Groundwater
Reuse of drainage Water
Sea Water and brackish Groundwater Desalination
Egyptian Water Resources
(Causes, Location, and Periods)
Up to the near past, groundwater received no attention and there
was no clear vision for sustainable
development
Potential (billion m3/year) of Fresh Groundwater in Egypt
55 5.475
7.0435 12.518
Total
2 0.078
0.002 0.080
N. W. Coast
37 0.121
0.089 0.210
Sinai
8 0.082
0.008 0.090
E. Desert
27 2.931
0.817 3.748
W. Desert
67 1.238
1.932 3.170
Valley
80 1.025
4.195 5.220
Delta
Developm ent %
Reserve Usage
Potential
Region
Groundwater is located where no other water resources exist, which is the major flexible advantage for development outside the Nile Valley and Delta
and redistribution of the Egyptian population
85% from the Egyptian water
resources was used for agriculture
which contributed 30% to the national income and producing 50% from the Egyptian food requirement.
Satisfying the nation food requirement, Egypt imported the other 50% from the world markets using the foreign
currency gained from tourism industry.
Tourism industry along with the Red Sea Coast, South Sinai and North West Coast is mainly
depend on desalination of brackish groundwater, which in
Egypt has a great potential
with respect to the availability
of the resource.
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
الأحواض الساحلية والوديانية
التكوينات الرسوبية )دلتا النيل (
المغرا
)المليون / جزء ( الملوحة
)السنﻩ /3مليون م( الإمكانات
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500
0
One Third of the world historical
monuments Are hosted in Egypt
Poor Irrigation And Drainage
Practices
Esna Temple
Zaghlul Mosque
Hebes Temple
“ Antiquities are more
precious than any other
economic development “
CONCULSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
Groundwater exists where is no other water resources and it has an economic value within the social boundary conditions;
Groundwater outside Nile Valley & Delta should be allocated for integrated development toward redistribution of the Egyptian population;
Groundwater institutions and management need further attention to include the private sector;
Desalination of the brackish water is already practiced by the private sector without any contribution from the government;
Cooperation between different governmental sectors and private sector should be proved toward groundwater protection;
Groundwater outside Nile Valley & Delta should be allocated for integrated development toward redistribution of the Egyptian population;
Unplanned development activities & poor irrigation practices led to degradation of the antiquities. Protection strategy for the antiquities from groundwater tables rising should be prioritized and on national basis.
