Cairo wastes 1m cubic metres of water per day, says official

The Egyptian capital of Cairo wastes at least one million cubic metres of water every day, the Governor of Cairo, Atef Abdel Hamid, said yesterday.

Speaking to local officials at the provincial headquarters in Cairo, Abdel Hamid called for “strict action” against water waste in the capital.

“Preserving water is as crucial as the country’s national security,” he stressed.

“Cairo wastes around one million cubic meters of water per day … We need to stop all types of wasting water,” he stressed, adding that “immediate” action needs to be taken against those found to be consuming water “excessively’.

The governor’s comments come amid Egypt’s soured relations with Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Renaissance Dam which Cairo fears will adversely affect its share of Nile water.

Ethiopia says the dam will be a useful for generating electricity and will not harm Sudan or Egypt’s water supplies.

Read: Egypt, Sudan discuss strengthening bilateral relations