Integrating water management in Egypt: from concept to reality
Date
2006-10
Authors
Khodary, Maher, author
Fawzi, Nabil, author
Viala, Eric, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
Managing water resources is becoming an increasingly difficult task, from technical, economic, social, and political perspectives. This is especially true in Egypt where multiple and growing demands are competing for a limited water supply. In order to deal with increasingly complex technical issues, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) has over the years set up various specialized units and departments able to deal with drainage, groundwater, water quality, and irrigation improvement issues. This has facilitated the implementation of specific projects and activities but the resulting fragmentation drastically hampers cross-sectoral coordination, timely decision-making, and thus modern (integrated) water management. Acknowledging this situation, the MWRI has recently taken steps to simplify its structure, starting with its local delegations, districts which cover on average 50,000 feddans or acres. 27 Integrated Water management Districts (IWMDs) now exist in Egypt, covering about 15 % of the national irrigated area, with benefits in terms of water management acknowledged by both Ministry officials and water users.
Description
Presented at Ground water and surface water under stress: competition, interaction, solutions: a USCID water management conference on October 25-28, 2006 in Boise, Idaho.