Head of EU delegation: EU supports 100 water treatment plants in Egypt

CAIRO - 21 January 2024: Christian Berger, head of the European Union delegation to Egypt,

stressed the importance of treating wastewater, as he highlighted EU's support to 100 water treatment plants in Egypt. 

 

Berger added that the EU seeks to provide more, especially since the water sector receives great attention and support from the bloc, amounting to about half a billion euros over the past ten years.

 

During his presence at the Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment Company in Alexandria, Berger said that investment in the water sector contributed to establishing infrastructure, in addition to creating more job opportunities.

 

For his part, Mamdouh Raslan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company for Potable Water and Wastewater, stressed the strength of the years-long relations with the European Union, pointing to cooperation in the Delta, Upper Egypt and Alexandria regions, and about 800 thousand cubic meters are produced daily, in addition to mechanisms to save energy in The station uses technology that European companies are seeking to develop.

 

The head of the holding company looked forward to cooperating with the European Union in order to predict climate change, as well as industrial wastewater treatment, as about 40% of the industries in all of Egypt are located in Alexandria, so it is necessary to focus on a solution to preserve the environment in Egypt and the Mediterranean region.

 

Today, the head of the European Union delegation to Egypt, Ambassador Christian Berger, accompanied by a number of ambassadors of EU member states accredited to Egypt and a number of diplomats, began a tour that included the governorates of Alexandria and Kafr El-Sheikh to inspect the water and sanitation projects, which the European Union contributes to financing in the two governorates.

 

The tour program began with a field visit to the wastewater treatment plant in western Alexandria, Smouha, before the European Union Ambassador met with the Governor of Alexandria, Mohamed El-Sherif.

 

Ambassador Berger and a number of European ambassadors and diplomats are participating in the opening of the European Union dialogue on water with the private sector and local businessmen in the city of Alexandria, as well as the “Egypt Water” dialogue with young entrepreneurs and young water ambassadors.

 

The expansion program for the wastewater network in western Alexandria aims to increase capacity and raise the level of treatment in one of the existing wastewater treatment plants in Alexandria, improve the environment, contribute to sustainable economic development, support urban adaptability, and contribute to climate-supporting activities.

 

The project, with cost is estimated at 184.75 million euros, aims to include a long-term loan provided by the European Investment Bank and an investment grant amounting to 20 million euros provided by the European Union, in addition to investments with an Egyptian contribution.