Local and national water authorities in Egypt have stepped up operations after residents of Al-Mareeg and Al-Ghariri, in Shibin Al-Qanater, reported rising groundwater that has begun to infiltrate houses and agricultural land. The governor of Qalyubia, Ayman Attia, convened an expanded meeting to agree immediate measures and longer-term technical remedies.
The session brought together senior officials, including Mohamed Ibrahim Fouda, chairman of the Qalyubia Water and Wastewater Company; Mohamed Abdel-Samee, head of the Drainage Projects Authority; Jehan Massoud, the governorate’s general secretary; and Mahmoud El-Qouni, director of the central water resources and irrigation administration for the governorate. Executives from the local drainage directorate and related operational teams also attended.
Qalyubia groundwater crisis response under way
Fouda presented the findings of on-site inspections conducted by company teams in Al-Mareeg. He reported that a rise in the level of the Hazania drain has contributed to an elevated groundwater table, causing seepage into some dwellings and nearby farmland. He said the company treats the situation as a top priority to protect public safety and maintain service quality.
Field crews from the Qalyubia Water and Wastewater Company have increased their presence in Shibin Al-Qanater to monitor ongoing projects for drinking water and sanitation, improve operations and maintenance, and respond quickly to residents’ complaints. Work to repair leaks, clear drainage channels and bolster local pumping capacity has been accelerated.
The authorities emphasised a coordinated approach. The company is working within a system that includes the Drainage Projects Authority, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, and the governorate’s executive bodies, as directed by the governor. Officials said they will pursue technical measures designed to lower the groundwater table and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Short-term actions discussed at the meeting include targeted pumping and drainage clearance, prioritised site inspections, and rapid response to reported incidents. Medium-term options under consideration involve assessing drainage network capacity, reinforcing vulnerable embankments, and planning upgrades to pumping and conveyance infrastructure where required.
Fouda underlined the company’s commitment to daily oversight of works and open channels of communication with affected communities. He said staff would continue to log and respond to citizen reports, and coordinate closely with national agencies to ensure that technical interventions are effective and sustainable.
Residents will be kept informed as teams implement measures on the ground, officials added. The combined focus on immediate mitigation and longer-term technical solutions aims to protect homes and farmland while strengthening the resilience of local water and drainage systems against future high groundwater events.
Key Takeaways:
- Authorities in Qalyubia are coordinating an emergency response to the Qalyubia groundwater crisis affecting Al-Mareeg and Al-Ghariri.
- Water company teams are carrying out intensive field monitoring and rapid repairs to protect homes and farmland.
- Efforts involve the water company, the Drainage Projects Authority, and the Ministry of Water Resources to find sustainable technical solutions.
