Sarapium Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Field Visit in Ismailia, Egypt
On 23rd of May 2021, IWMI's ReWater MENA project team, accompanied by colleagues from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), conducted a field visit to Sarapium Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Ismailia to follow up on the activities implemented in the experimental site for feasible water reuse solutions at the site. The project tends to expand the treated wastewater reuse directly and indirectly in the region by developing reuse models and national plans for the safe use of treated wastewater in Egypt.
SIDA delegation field visit to Sarapium Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Ismailia, Egypt - ReWater MENA project
A delegation from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), accompanied by ReWater MENA project team, conducted a field visit to Sarapium Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Ismailia on May 31st 2021, to follow up on the activities implemented in the experimental site of Sarapium as part of ReWater MENA, which SIDA has supported since 2018; and to better understand the wastewater reuse context and agricultural practices in Egypt.
Treated wastewater reuse in agriculture creating benefits beyond coping with water scarcity
Achieving water security is an enormous challenge facing countries of the MENA region, among which is Egypt. On the one hand, water demand is increasing due to population growth, urbanization trend and economic development. On the other hand, water availability is decreasing due to climate change leading to droughts and floods, low water quality, and poor water management in the context of fragility, conflict, and violence. According to the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), Egypt requires 114 billion cubic meter (BCM) of water per year to cover the country’s increasing demands from the agricultural and industrial sectors, as well as water for drinking and household use.