Preparation of the 4th Extension of the Abu Rawash Wastewater Treatment Plant, near Cairo

With less than 650 m3 of freshwater available per year per capita (way below international standards), Egypt is running out of water: The Nile, which provides about 98% of the annual renewable water resources, is the cornerstone of the population‘s wellbeing and economic growth.

To overcome the challenge of water scarcity, the Egyptian government (GOE) is shifting its focus towards the mobilisation of unconventional water resources, such as treated wastewater recycling Abu Rawash, on the outskirts of Cairo, is home to one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world. The African Development Bank has already financed several upgrades and extensions for the plant and is now planning to support an expansion that should make it possible to absorb the discharges of an additional 2.5 million Cairo residents.

To prepare for this operation, the Urban and Municipal Development Fund will finance the data collection and a technical feasibility study, to the tune of $400,000

While water is a crucial issue for Egypt, the water released by the plant will be used to irrigate agricultural areas located downstream, in the Nile estuary. The treatment plant also produces fertilisers, which help to improve yields and incomes for farmers in the region.

--------------------------

Outputs

• Technical feasibility report for WWTP and potential pump stations/ transmission lines

• Financial analysis and economic feasibility report

• Detailed design report

• Tender documents

• ESIA document

Outcomes

• Preparatory studies completed to expand the plant capacity of 500,000 m3 of treated wastewater per day.

• Project ready for financing by the AfDB and its partners

Infrastructure

• Scale-up the plant capacity from 2.0M m3 to 2.5M m3 per day

• Improved plant management efficiency and flexibility

Expected Final Impact

• 600,000 people are expected to reuse the treated water for productive activities

• Improved environmental health and protection of water resources in the Nile estuary