Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem has directed the intensification of canal and drain cleaning operations nationwide and ordered stricter field monitoring and immediate action against violations affecting waterway efficiency or public health.
This is in line with Ministerial Circular No. 1 of 2026 on combating the dumping of waste into waterways.
According to a ministry statement on Thursday, Sweilem stressed that maintaining the cleanliness of canals and waterways is essential to ensuring efficient water management and the timely delivery of water to beneficiaries in the required quantities.
He emphasised the importance of continuing cleaning operations and the rapid removal of weeds and debris to guarantee the smooth flow of water.
The minister explained that the circular requires ministry engineers to conduct regular inspections of the Nile and waterways within their jurisdictions to monitor illegal dumping and pollution incidents, while coordinating with local authorities to prevent encroachments and protect waterways.
Engineers granted judicial authority have also been instructed to take immediate legal measures against violators, including issuing reports, ordering the removal of violations and referring cases to the competent authorities.
Minister Sweilem noted that the Water Resources and Irrigation Law imposes deterrent penalties on those who pollute the Nile and waterways, including imprisonment for up to one year and fines ranging from LE50,000 to LE200,000, with penalties doubled for repeat offences. Violators are also required to bear the full cost of removing pollution and restoring affected areas.
“The Ministry spends more than LE1 billion annually on cleaning and maintaining canals and waterways,” the minister said, warning that continued dumping wastes valuable resources, obstructs water flow and increases maintenance costs.
He stressed that responsibility for addressing the issue is shared among citizens and state institutions.
He noted that the ministry is coordinating with the Ministries of Local Development and Environment to tackle the root causes of the problem while strictly enforcing the law.
In this context, the ministry launched a WhatsApp hotline to receive reports of pollution or illegal dumping in waterways. Citizens are encouraged to submit photographs of violations together with their locations via 01501288112 to facilitate rapid intervention and legal action.
