Urban Water Cycles: Egypt

HafenCity University Resource Efficiency in Architecture and Planning Urban Water Cycles

Prof. Wolfgang Dickhaut

Urban Water Cycles in Egypt

Current situation and project examples

By: Ismail Khater

Matrikel-Nr.: 3023136 Summer Semester – 2011

Abstract

Water scarcity is one of the utmost issues and challenges of the 21st century. It is not only the quantity aspect causing the main problems, but furthermore the quality, distribution and the wasteful management. Estimated climate change, population growth and economic developments further strain available water sources. As the Middle East and North Africa is a region of great interest to me, this paper presents an overall introductory on the water situation in Egypt. Basic country and water characteristics are presented, followed by some project examples and current solutions.

Table of Contents

Abstract ....................................................... 1 1. Introduction ............................................ 2 2. Characteristics of Egypt .......................... 3 a. Geography and Population.................. 3 b. Climate & Precipitation ....................... 3 c. Geomorphology and Hydrogeology .... 5 3. Water situation in Egypt ......................... 6 a. Overview.............................................. 6 b. Water Supply ....................................... 9 c. Water Demand .................................. 10 d. Stormwater management ................. 10 e. Wastewater sources and treatment . 11 f. Quality aspects and problems............ 12 4. Case studies........................................... 14 a. Gabal el Asfar WWTP ........................ 14 b. rainwater harvesting in Matruh ........ 16 5. Recommendations and Solutions ......... 17 6. Conclusion and Findings ....................... 18 Bibliography .............................................. 19

List of figures

FIGURE 1: WATER SCARCITY IN THE WORLD......................... 2 FIGURE 2: EGYPT’S...