Irrigation Min. Discusses with EBERD Rehabilitation of Kitchener Drain, Water Resources Management

Hani Sweilem, Minister of Irrigation discussed with Sue Barrett, Director of the Infrastructure Department at theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) areas of cooperation in the field of water resources management, in the presence of Khaled Hamza, Director of the European Development Bank’s office in Egypt.

The meeting reviewed the various areas of cooperation between the Ministry and the European Bank, as it discussed the implemented components of the “Water Quality Improvement Project in the Kitchener Drain” of the ministry.

The project components include implementing protection and strengthening works for the bridges of the Kitchener Bank and its branches, constructing and rehabilitating lifting stations, rehabilitating industrial works on the bank and its branches, and installing a monitoring system for the quality and flow of water in the bank.

The Ministry completed the preparation of the environmental study for the work required for the project, prepared the environmental impact model, obtained the approval of the Environmental Affairs Agency for it, presented two contracts for the construction of bridges on the drain, carried out the topographical surveying work for the drain, studied the works to protect the side slopes and bridges, and determined the places to measure the behavior and water quality in the drain. 

It also presented the process of establishing the Hamoul and Samatay stations in Gharbia and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates.

The meeting discussed aspects of cooperation with the European Construction Bank in the work related to evaluating the constructional condition of the Rosetta Sea Wall, preparing technical and economic feasibility studies for the necessary works, and mechanisms for financing the implementation of the works that will result from the study to be implemented.

The possibility of cooperation between the Ministry and the Bank in the field of rehabilitation of lifting stations was also discussed. Which contributes to improving the performance of the water system, in addition to reducing the stations’ consumption of electricity, which is reflected in reducing emissions and mitigating the causes of climate change “zero emissions”, with the European Bank supporting the ministry in preparing an integrated plan that includes the cost of rehabilitation and the expected environmental benefits.

The meeting also touched on discussing the technical support that the bank can provide to the ministry to implement procedures for developing the water distribution system in Egypt, by switching from using levels to using drains, while working to rehabilitate water facilities, especially the gates at the mouths of canals.