Sanitation Problems Need EGP 80 Bln

Dr. Abdel-Kawi Khalifa, Minister of Utilities, sewage and waste, has emphasized that resolving sanitation problems on the level of the Republic requires EGP 80 billion. Given that the government cannot afford this, Khalifa called upon civil society organizations to lend a hand in this regard.

He added that studies are being conducted for increasing the price of drinking water in tourist areas and investment bodies, highlighting that this would not affect the ordinary citizens, and that this proposal will be presented to the cabinet for approval.

Concerning the contamination of water, Khalifa said this problem exists in a limited number of areas but does not occur frequently. The water gets contaminated only when passing through tanks, he said, noting that the Ministry has assigned a hot line for receiving the complaints, which number is 125.

With regard to the frequent explosions of water pipes, Khalifa pointed out that most of the pipes have exceeded the allotted time for their life expectancy. Given that the length of the pipes amounts to 147 km, it is not infrequent that from 300 to 400 pipes can be broken per day, he said, confirming that repairs and sterilizations are instantly carried out by companies.