The INECO Egypt Case Study was oriented at analysing water quality degradation issues at the community level, focusing on problems experienced in the Bahr Basandeila Canal. The problems of the area, in terms of canal water quality and water service provision, are considered representative of issues experienced in semi-urban agglomerations situated in the vicinity of the Nile distribution network.

The articulation of the INECO process in the area, which involved extensive awareness campaigning and organisation of 8 stakeholder events during the 3-year course of the project, managed to mobilise local and regional authorities, research institutes, user and social groups for discussing water management problems, deficiencies of current policies and potential courses of action.

The main outcomes of the Case Study, stemming from this process and the corresponding stakeholder surveys in the area underline the pertinence of strict enforcement of environmental law, and of the development of an Integrated Water Management plan addressing also the problems and needs of local societies in rural areas.

Instruments and approaches perceived most relevant and applicable comprise decentralization, public participation and increased liability of polluters. Instead of indirect taxes, preference was articulated for direct and indirect forms of financial aid. Voluntary schemes, including State support for building the required human and technical capacity for pollution prevention and control are also widely accepted. To that end, programmes should be developed for enhancing coordination and cooperation among the different institutions dealing with water management and use issues and for strengthening awareness and participatory processes at local level, ensuring representation of the interests of rural societies at higher decision-making levels.

More information on the outcomes of the INECO Egypt Case Study - The Egypt Regional Publishable Report

The Symposium on "The Role of Women in the Conservation of Environment and Water Safety", April 1^st 2009, Belkas, Dakahlia Governorate

TThe outcomes of the INECO Egypt Case Study were presented and debated in a Symposium, which was held at the main Conference Hall of the Local Council of Belkas City, on Wednesday, April 1^st, 2009. 

The Symposium, which also highlighted the role of women in water conservation, was held under the auspices of H.E. Samir Sallam, the Governor of Dakahlia Governorate, and was coorganised by IC - International Consultants Egypt and the Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.

The Symposium was attended by 111 persons, with adequate representation of Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health,  the Egyptian Parliament, the National Democratic Party, the Local Council of Belkas City, the Council of the Basandeila Village, the local water supply company, NGOs of the Dakahlia Governorate and other local leaders. It further attracted mass media attention, including the Al Ahram El Akhbaar, El-Messa, Al Gomhouria and Al Osboa newspapers, and was covered from Channel 6 (Delta TV) and Al Badr TV.

In addition to the discussion on INECO outcomes, the Symposium emphasised on the following points of action:

• Enhancement of co-operation and co-ordination among competent authorities and the local government for the implementation of water pollution prevention programmes;
• Raising of public awareness on the importance of water conservation by investing on the role of mass media (TV presentations, radio programmes, newspaper articles and briefings, etc.) to provide practical guidance and advice;
• Introduction of stricter legislation for environmental violations and water misuse;
• Assessment and mitigation of the environmental impacts of current water management practices at all levels, and particularly in rural areas;
• Development of more gender-aware water management policies, and motivation of all consumer groups in the villages of the Dakahlia Governorate.