Pollution

Environmental concerns are always addressed in stable nations like the United States, but in countries with socio-economic and political problems such as Egypt, the government never takes care of the environmental issues. Water pollution in Egypt is one of the most threatening environmental concerns of the country. Water pollution affects the people’s healthy living standards as it reduces their ability to obtain and use water. Egypt is listed among the ten countries that are threatened by water crisis by 2025 due to the rapidly increasing rate of pollution in the water of the Nile River (Jabbra and Dwivedi). About 97% of the water is consumed from the River Nile, and the rest from ground water aquifers (Hopkins and Sohair). The major source of water for the people of Egypt is the Nile River is subject to unsustainably high levels of industrial, domestic and agricultural wastewater pollution.

Drinking water should be clear and free from odors and micro organisms. However, the drinking water of Egypt is the opposite of the above mentioned qualities. There are several reasons that are accountable for the pollution of water in Egypt. The wastes from the industries and factories, agricultural wastes, human and domestic wastes are a few reasons of water pollution. Another major reason of water pollution is the scarcity of pure water due to the high population of Egypt that has raised the demand for more water. The Biochemical Oxygen Demand of the waste water ranges from 160-760 mg/l which is very high. (Hopkins and Sohair)The following paragraphs give a brief description of each of the problems.

Industrialization in Egypt has led to the deterioration of the environment. The majority of the water in Egypt is polluted as a result of ind...

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...ricultural banks, which drain into the river are also the major reasons for water pollution (Hopkins and Sohair).

A population of about 20 million people resides along the Nile River in Egypt. The huge population discharges their wastes and untreated sewage into the Nile. The over population of the country has also contributed to the contamination of the River Nile (Sowers). The increase in the population has in turn multiplied the demand for water supply for domestic consumption and irrigation. Abundant water is available in the Nile River but it is contaminated water and is not advised for drinking or use at home. Cleaning the Nile’s water requires opening up the valves and releasing extra water, especially during winter when the Nile’s water flow decreases. It also requires the flow of water from higher dams when there is scarcity of water (Hopkins and Sohair).