Water Resources Minister Calls for Rapid Development of Guidelines for Waterway Tree Planting

egyptian-fan-zone-celebrates-as-national-team-scores-first-goal-against-belgium/">Dr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, chaired the twelfth meeting of the Supreme Permanent Committee for Policies at the ministry, with participation from ministry leaders. The meeting focused on discussing public policies related to the planning and development of water resources, enhancing their efficient use, and improving coordination among the ministry’s affiliated entities.

During the meeting, several topics were reviewed concerning requests for water approvals for drinking, industrial, and poultry production purposes. The importance of adhering to withdrawal and discharge requirements was emphasized to support water balance auditing and improve water management and distribution.

The committee also discussed a guideline for specifications and methods for installing flow measurement meters at drinking, industrial, and agricultural water intakes. Dr. Sewilam directed the swift preparation of a unified guide for licenses issued by ministry authorities, which will include procedures, requirements, and organized fees.

The committee reviewed proposals for developing certain administrative structures within the ministry alongside a plan to enhance the irrigation system through the creation of a guideline outlining the roles of irrigation engineers at various job levels aimed at transferring expertise and increasing technical efficiency.

The meeting also addressed the issue of calculating reused water quantities. The minister instructed that requirements be studied for installing measurement meters at intermediate blending stations to ensure accurate water balance.

Dr. Sewilam stressed the importance of implementing Ministry Circular No. (1) for 2026 concerning protecting the Nile River and waterways from pollution through field monitoring and coordination with local authorities while taking necessary legal actions against violators.

Additionally, he urged the rapid preparation of guidelines to organize tree planting along waterways to ensure the preservation of banks and aquatic sectors while achieving sustainability. He emphasized that debris removal and historical accumulations from waterway banks should be completed within three months in coordination with relevant authorities.