Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam has approved the final outputs and roadmap for activating the Central Department for Non-Conventional Water Resources describing it as a key executive tool to maximize the use of available water resources and support the pillars of the Second Generation of the Egyptian Water System 2.0 initiative.
The announcement came during a meeting with the ministry's technical committee and specialists, where Sewilam said the activation of the department represents an important institutional step in line with a decision by the ministry's Policy Committee. The move reflects a clear strategy to institutionalize the management of non-conventional water resources and integrate them into Egypt's national water balance, while supporting water treatment and desalination efforts under the Egyptian Water System 2.0 framework, alongside digitalization, governance and improved water-use efficiency.
The minister said the department's responsibilities will include preparing advanced plans and studies for the reuse of treated agricultural drainage water, expanding the use of brackish and seawater desalination technologies for agricultural purposes, developing rainwater and flash flood harvesting systems and promoting the use of greywater, while applying environmental standards and technical specifications to ensure water quality and operational efficiency.
The meeting reviewed the department's Concept Note and Roadmap, which were prepared on the basis of scientific studies examining the latest international practices in water treatment, desalination and reuse. The documents have been adapted to Egypt's hydrological and environmental conditions, while ensuring coordination with the ministry's various sectors and relevant authorities and avoiding overlaps in responsibilities.
Participants took up the findings of a committee formed under Ministerial Decree No. 151 of 2026 to assess the department's organizational structure and mandate. The committee worked for 36 days holding five intensive meetings with the participation of 15 members from specialized entities inside and outside the ministry, in addition to academics and experts from Ain Shams University, Zewail City, the American University in Cairo and the Ministry of Agriculture to enrich technical discussions and refine the proposed institutional framework.
The proposed structure includes three specialized general departments: the General Department for Technical Planning and Studies, which will develop integrated models and plans for non-conventional water resources in line with intended uses and technical and environmental requirements; the General Department for Project Development and Implementation, which will translate studies into executable projects; and the General Department for Project Quality and Performance Efficiency, which will ensure the sustainability of technical and environmental standards.
The structure also includes a department for Technical Coordination and Institutional Relations to strengthen governance and inter-agency cooperation. At the conclusion of the meeting, Sewilam directed the immediate launch of executive procedures to activate the department in coordination with the Central Agency for Organization and Administration, while providing the necessary technological capabilities, technical support and specialized personnel.
He also stressed the importance of continued coordination among the ministry's sectors and relevant bodies to enhance the ministry's capacity to protect water resources and maximize their efficient use.