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Blue gold for all in Aswan

Project completed
Girls at a secondary school in Aswan drink water from taps installed in the schoolyard.
Girls at a secondary school in Aswan drink water from taps installed in the schoolyard. © FDFA EDA

Egypt has undertaken a major effort to modernise its water and sanitation sector. However, many obstacles remain before all Egyptians, without distinction, will be able to enjoy access to drinking water through an equitable and reliable service. In support of this progress, the SDC has developed an ambitious project in a disadvantaged neighbourhood of the city of Aswan.

Country/region Period Budget
Egypt
20.12.2012 - 31.12.2016
 CHF  4’650’000
Background

Every year, the population of Egypt increases by over one million, while the Nile provides the country with a constant volume of 55.5 billion cubic metres of water. Significant progress has been made following the government’s restructuring of the water sector, yet major challenges remain. The situation is especially worrying for the poorest people living in informal settlements in the urban periphery.
Objectives

The programme is designed to improve access to safe drinking water for residents of Al Nasseriya, an informal neighbourhood in the city of Aswan. It is also meant to reduce water use and develop a transparent, responsible and efficient public water service.
Target groups

The project targets 100,000 residents of the informal neighbourhood of Al Nasseriya located a kilometre from the centre of the city of Aswan. These residents use the water supply network run by the Aswan Water and Sanitation Company.
Medium-term outcomes

 

 

1 - Equal access to safe and reliable drinking water throughout the year for men and women living in informal settlements in the areas targeted by the project.

2 - Improving the governance and management of the water sector in Aswan Governorate through a public water service that is transparent, responsible and efficient.

3 - Making more efficient use of water in targeted urban areas through awareness-raising activities designed specifically for each segment of the population.

 

 
Results

Expected results:  

 

1 - The supply of drinking water to Al Nasseriya has improved following the construction of a new reservoir with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres, while work continues on a new pumping station and water pipes.

2 - Maintenance operations are more efficient thanks to tools and training courses on new procedures.

3 - Awareness-raising efforts tailored to the various population segments have been run: environmental clubs have been set up in six schools in Al Nasseriya, women’s meetings have been held for the local women, street plays have been put on, etc.

 
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner


Other partners

Implementing partner
Dorsch International Consultants and Jesuit Brothers Association 

Other partners
Aswan Governorate, Aswan Water and Sanitation Company
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    4’650’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    3’926’937
Project phases

Phase 3 20.12.2012 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)

Phase 2 01.11.2012 - 31.07.2017   (Completed)
  • Cross-cutting topics The project takes account of gender equality as a cross-cutting theme.
    The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F08368

Water is a fragile resource in Egypt. Rainfall in the country is scarce, with an annual average of only 51 millimetres; the corresponding figure for Switzerland is 1,537 millimetres. The Nile is the country’s only year-round river and carries 55.5 billion cubic metres of water annually. While this figure remains constant, the population of Egypt continues to grow at a rate of a million people per year. This fact, together with a trend towards urbanisation, puts an added strain on this resource. 

Inequality driven by poverty 

The Egyptian government has made water management a national priority, but Egyptians are not all equal when it comes to water access. For example, in Aswan, one of the country’s poorest governorates, the water supply network serving disadvantaged neighbourhoods does not have the needed capacity and requires repairs owing to a lack of upkeep and investment. This has led to pollution and public health problems. 

This SDC responded to this situation in 2012 with a project called ‘Aswan Water Programme: improving the drinking water supply and water management efficiency’. The project aims to help 100,000 residents of Al Nasseriya, an informal neighbourhood located one kilometre from the centre of the city of Aswan. The water supply network in this neighbourhood was built over 20 years ago as part of a government plan. It was designed for a population of 50,000 people. In the summer of 2011, with water levels running low, the residents of Al Nasseriya demonstrated in front of the Aswan Governorate building. The national water supply management company, together with local partner authorities, therefore proposed that the SDC focus its efforts on this neighbourhood. 

Renovation, training and awareness-raising 

Different measures are being implemented in Al Nasseriya. A number of worksites are one indication of this: a new reservoir with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres has been completed, and work on a new pumping station and on water pipes is under way and expected to be finished in summer 2016. In addition, technical assistance is being provided to the Water and Sanitation Company and the technical teams in charge of the water supply system. A new computerised maintenance programme and the related workflows have also been set up at the Water and Sanitation Company.

A group of employees from the Aswan Water and Sanitation Company learns how to read maps, a skill that will help them maintain the water supply network more effectively.
A group of employees from the Aswan Water and Sanitation Company learns how to read maps, a skill that will help them maintain the water supply network more effectively. © FDFA

Awareness-raising efforts are taking place at the same time. Environmental clubs have been set up in six schools, where students are taught how to use water sparingly through fun activities. They then pass along what they learn to their friends and family. Women play a key role in the SDC’s project as well. Groups of women meet for regular discussions, including on the topic of water. These discussions have already had an impact on how community members go about their daily activities, such as washing dishes without letting the water run. Finally, street plays are used as an entertaining way of spreading the message about water.

A woman performs in a play for schoolchildren about water, in the Egyptian city of Aswan.
Schoolchildren attend a play on water conservation in Aswan, Egypt. © FDFA

Numerous partnerships 

The SDC has partnered with several government entities, including the Aswan Water and Sanitation Company, institutional actors in the region, etc. The project in Al Nasseriya is expected to be completed at the end of 2016.

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Last update 23.01.2021