The Prime Minister inspects the seawater desalination plant in Al-Arish as part of North Sinai development projects

The Egyptian state continues to implement its plans aimed at strengtheningwater security and achieving sustainable development in various governorates, especially in areas of a special nature, such as the Sinai Peninsula, where water resources management represents one of the strategic challenges in light of the increasing demand for water as a result of urban and population expansion.

The Egyptian state is therefore moving to diversify water sources by expanding seawater desalination projects, reusing water, and developing the infrastructure of the water system, in a way that contributes to meeting the needs of citizens and supporting comprehensive development plans.

In this context, Dr. Mustafa Madbouly, “Prime Minister,” conducted a field tour in North Sinai Governorate to inspect and inaugurate a number of development and service projects, the most prominent of which was the inspection of the seawater desalination plant in the city of Arish, which is considered one of the vital projects to support the drinking water system in the governorate.

Seawater desalination is a strategic project

During the tour, Engineer Randa El Minshawy, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, explained that the production capacity of the first phase of the seawater desalination plant in Arish is about 100 thousand cubic meters per day, and it was built on an area of about 59 thousand square meters.

The Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities added that the future plan of the project aims to raise the total capacity of the station to 300 thousand cubic meters per day, and this is through the implementation of two additional phases, while the total area allocated for the implementation of the three phases reaches about 174 thousand square meters.

Arish station components

There, Eng. Khaled Al-Omari, “President of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Company in North and South Sinai,” reviewed the main components of the station, explaining that it includes a number of integrated technical facilities that ensure its highly efficient operation.

These components include:

• The marine outlet that was designed with future expansion in mind.
• Two drawing lines with a diameter of 1800 mm and a length of 1050 meters.
• Extrusion line with a diameter of 1800 mm and a length of 550 meters.
• Marine intake pump building.
• Sand filter building.
• Main Tahlia Building.
• Produced water pump building.
• Generator Building.
• Produced water tanks.

Supporting the water system in North Sinai

For his part, Major General Dr. Khaled Mujawar, Governor of North Sinai, confirmed that the seawater desalination plant in Al-Arish is considered one of the most important projects within the drinking water system in the governorate, which relies on several water sources, including Nile water, desalination plants, and well water desalination.

He pointed out that the station currently contributes to saving 100 thousand cubic meters of water per day, with a plan to increase production capacity. This will help meet the needs of the residents of the cities and centers of North Sinai, and improve the level of services provided to them.

Egypt achieves water security

After that, the Prime Minister confirmed that the state pays great attention to the issue of seawater desalination. In implementation of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Dr. Mustafa Madbouly also indicated that the government is working to expand the establishment of more desalination plants through partnerships with international companies specialized in this field.

He also stressed that these projects aim to provide new sources of water, and also seek to localize industries related to desalination plants, and transfer the latest global water technology to Egypt, in a way that enhances the state’s capabilities in managing water resources and meeting increasing development needs.

Sinai Development Vision

At the conclusion of the tour, the Prime Minister explained that what he saw inside the seawater desalination plant in Al-Arish of expansion capabilities and plans; It reflects the ongoing efforts made by the state to improve the level of services provided to the citizens of North Sinai.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that the project comes within the framework of an integrated development vision aimed at achieving a comprehensive renaissance in various sectors within Sinai, in a way that supports stability and sustainable development, which represents an important strategic pillar for the Egyptian state.

In light of these efforts, it becomes clear that the expansion of seawater desalination projects has become a strategic option that reflects a shift in the philosophy of water resources management in Egypt. Because the state is moving towards building an integrated system based on diversifying resources, employing modern technology, and enhancing the efficiency of infrastructure in accordance with the requirements of sustainable development.

Establishing a desalination plant of this size in the city of Al-Arish carries development dimensions that go beyond providing drinking water. It represents an essential pillar for supporting urban and economic development plans in North Sinai, and creating a more stable environment to attract investments and expand productive and service activities.

Therefore,The Earth Guards Foundation confirms that such projects reflect a broader vision that seeks to achieve a balance between water security and the requirements of regional development, thus enhancing the state’s ability to face the challenges of the future, which makes Sinai a practical model for how to employ major infrastructure projects in supporting stability and sustainable development, and consolidating the state’s presence in strategic regions through development projects capable of Creating a long-term social and economic impact.