Bahr Al Baqar...Wastewater Treatment Plant: Springs of Hope, Op-ed

Egypt witnessed today the inauguration of Bahr-el Baqar wastewater treatment plant, which is the world's largest plant of its kind.

The 190km Bahr Al-Baqar drainage system runs from southern Cairo to Sharqeya governorate, through the governorates of Qaliubiya and Daqahleya, and from Ismailia to Port Said.

The plant is equipped with advanced processes for pumping raw water, coagulation, flocculation, decantation, filtration, and disinfection to produce water of optimum quality for irrigating local crops.

Bahr Al-Baqar wastewater treatment plant is the largest in the world, with a capacity of 5m cubic metres (cbm) per day. It will also be used for the reclamation and cultivation of about 330,000 feddan of land east of the Suez Canal, in addition to the 70,000 feddan that are currently being cultivated.

Considered one of Egypt’s most important projects, the plant treats more than 2 billion cubic meters of wastewater per year which will be used to irrigate 1,400 sq km of land. The project will support efforts to develop Sinai, invest in infrastructure, and improve services provided to citizens.

Moreover, it aims to optimally utilize water resources and reduce waste, and will work towards increasing agricultural area, especially in the Sinai Peninsula. In addition, the project will establish integrated agricultural development projects covering agricultural, animal, and industrial production.