Integrated water resource management in Sharkia Governorate, East Nile Delta using numerical evaluation of water management strategies

Abstract

It is commonly acknowledged that providing a safe water supply for all countries is one of the major challenges of the twenty-first century. Egypt, the gift of the Nile is facing big water deficit problem because of the limited water resources and increasing demands as a result of high population growth and development in industrial and agricultural sectors. As agriculture sector is the main water consumer sector, Numerical simulation modeling was conducted for East Nile Delta region (Sharkia governorate) using WEAP (water evaluation and planning system) program as a case study especially the area between Bahr Mowais and Ismailia Canal. Applying different scenarios to predict the future water demands and the future deficit in this region. The results indicated that the main affected parameter is drainage reuse which inversely proportions with water shortage value. So, applying new strategies in water management is essential to reduce water deficit and control water resources with demands to overcome the problem of limited resources with increasing population and development and industrial projects. Egypt share Nile water with other 10 African countries in the Nile basin, water management should take place to achieve the best water manage with justice water distribution for all basin countries. Keywords: Integrated water resources management, River Nile, EAST Delta, WEAP