Jonglei Canal Project: A Potential Game-Changer for Egypt and Sudan's Water Security

Mohamed Nasr El-Din Allam, former Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, has highlighted the critical state of Egypt's water resources, noting that the per capita water share has fallen to approximately 500 cubic meters annually. He stressed the urgent need to link water management with economic viability and to foster cooperation among Nile Basin countries to explore projects that can augment available water supplies. During an appearance on the program 'Red Line,' hosted by journalist Mohamed Mousse on Al-Hadath Al-Youm TV channel, Allam identified the Jonglei Canal project as a significant initiative capable of enhancing water resources for both Egypt and Sudan by harnessing water currently lost in swampy regions. He estimated that the water saved could potentially double or even triple the combined annual water yield of both nations.

Allam recalled that efforts to bolster Egypt's water resources have spanned successive presidential administrations. He mentioned that late President Gamal Abdel Nasser addressed Egypt and Sudan's Nile water share, while late President Anwar Sadat focused on increasing water resources to counter the decline in per capita share due to population growth. The Jonglei Canal project saw progress during Sadat's tenure, with some work completed before it was halted by the civil war in South Sudan, leaving it stalled to this day. The former minister emphasized that water cooperation projects among Nile Basin countries continue to face obstacles, despite ongoing efforts across various presidential terms, including that of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He reiterated the importance of strengthening cooperation among basin states to serve mutual interests and optimize water resource utilization.

The reduction in per capita water share to around 500 cubic meters annually signifies Egypt's entry into a state of water scarcity, according to Allam. This figure is half the 1,000-cubic-meter benchmark considered the limit for desert countries like Egypt by World Bank standards, while countries with normal hydrological conditions have a threshold of approximately 1,500 cubic meters per capita. The consequences of this scarcity are evident in Egypt's substantial reliance on food imports, the use of seawater desalination for drinking water, and the repeated treatment and reuse of water to meet escalating demand. Allam pointed out that the state incurs significant financial burdens to secure food supplies, necessitating an evaluation of current policies and a balance between available resources and growing needs.

Regarding water allocation, Allam explained that prioritizing drinking water and existing industries is non-negotiable due to their direct repercussions. The remaining water is allocated for agriculture and other uses, but these quantities are diminishing. He stressed that increasing water resources is essential to preserve Egypt's limited arable land and meet sector demands. Allam advised that agricultural expansion must be guided by precise hydrological and economic calculations, considering the cost of water per acre against crop yields and their economic viability. He warned that using expensive water sources, such as desalination which can cost $0.75 to $1.00 per cubic meter, for crops that do not generate proportional economic returns is unsustainable.

Allam linked water resource management directly to crop selection, identifying rice and sugarcane as highly water-intensive crops that strain Egyptian water resources, even if they offer high economic returns. He noted that these crops are also cultivated in several Nile Basin countries, particularly in the Equatorial and Ethiopian plateaus, underscoring the need to review agricultural policies to align with Egypt's water capacity. He advocated for prioritizing water economics in agricultural decision-making, considering both water volume and cost alongside economic yields to achieve a balance between agricultural output and conservation.

Conversely, Allam highlighted Egypt's advanced capabilities in optimizing water resources through reuse and maximizing various sources, including Nile water, groundwater, and agricultural drainage water. Agricultural drainage water is a key source for reuse, along with water seeping from canals. He mentioned that discharging some agricultural drainage water is necessary for soil salinity management. Egypt's water resource use efficiency is approximately 70 percent, comparable to levels in the United States, though continuous development of water management systems is crucial. Egypt has long employed water treatment and multiple reuse cycles, blending sources to meet diverse needs. Recent technological advancements have improved treatment standards, enabling water reuse for various purposes. The Bahr El-Baqar Drainage Water Treatment Plant serves as a prime example of Egypt's capacity for executing complex, albeit costly, water projects. Allam concluded that the evaluation of water treatment and reuse projects should extend beyond technical feasibility to encompass total cost versus economic yield, warning against projects that become financial burdens despite their technical merit.