Conflicts in the Nile Basin and the Change of Power Balance

Ethiopian–Egyptian relations have seen remarkable tension since Ethiopia began the Renaissance Dam construction in 2011, and tensions have since escalated when Ethiopia announced the filling stage. While Ethiopia defends its project due to its economic importance, Egypt fears its negative effects. The paper discusses the hydro-political differences between the Nile Basin countries, particularly Egypt and Ethiopia, regarding the issue of water sharing and the means of settling it. It also discusses the consequent diplomatic problems and changes in the balance of power in Africa with the rise of Ethiopia as a regional power. The paper has found that the worsening of the Nile Basin situation is a result of the persistence of the conflicting parties and their adherence to their positions with no willingness to make concessions. Given the lack of a comprehensive legal agreement to regulate the exploitation and sharing of Nile water, the only way to put an end to this conflict is through cooperation between all basin countries.

Groundwater in New Valley and kidney disease

Background This study was performed to assess the possible association between groundwater and kidney disease in new valley governorate . Methods This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, during the period from August 2018 to January 2019. After obtaining verbal consent from all participants; the general information of each participant was recorded, full history taken and general examination was done for each participant, then urine samples and serum blood samples taken for urine analysis, serum urea and serum creatinine, then estimated glomulurar filtratin rate (eGFR) was calculated for healthy subjects groups using MDRD Equation; after that three different groundwater samples and Nile water sample collected and analyzed for different solutes and heavy metals contents. Result Our data suggests that rural community as in Eldakhla; which depends on groundwater supply may affected by more risk of CKD than urban community as in Cairo city, which depends on Nile water supply. Conclusion there are increased prevalence of CKD in New Valley governorate and this may be due to groundwater consumption .

Past and future trends of Egypt’s water consumption and its sources

For millennia the Nile supplied Egypt with more water than needed. As the population grew and the economy expanded, demand on water increased accordingly. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis to reconstruct how total demand on water outstripped supply of the Nile water in the late 1970s, starting from a surplus of about 20 km3 per year in the 1960s leading to a deficit of about 40 km3 per year by the late 2010s. The gap is satisfied by import of virtual water. The role of economic growth in driving per capita demand on water is quantified based on detailed analysis of water use by agriculture and other sectors. We develop and test an empirical model of water demand in Egypt that relates demand on water to growth rates in the economy and population. Looking forward, we project that within this decade of the 2020 s, under nominal scenarios of population and economic growth, Egypt is likely to import more virtual water than the water supplied by the Nile, bringing into question the historical characterization of Egypt as “the gift of the Nile”.

Integrated System for Recycling and Treatment of Hazardous Pharmaceutical Wastewater

This study aimed to investigate an integrated system that can deal with different pharmaceutical wastewater. Pharmaceutical wastewater was subjected to biological, chemical, and advanced oxidation according to its pollutant’s nature. Wastewater with high Total Suspended Solids (TSS 480 mg/l) was subjected to a conventional chemical treatment process utilizing different coagulants. The best results obtained by using Calcium Oxide and Alum aided with Calcium Oxide where, the removal efficiency of COD was 46.8% and 51 %. Highly loaded pharmaceutical wastewater (COD 9700 mg/l, BOD/COD 0.16) had been subjected to Fenton oxidation, removal of COD reached 80.4%, and the ratio of BOD/COD is enhanced to 0.6. Photocatalysis by using different nanomaterials was applied to pharmaceutical wastewater containing 10 mg/l of phenols. Phenol is completely removed by using Mesoporous TiO2 after 90 min irradiation and after 120 min in the case of TiO2/P25 and TiO2/UV 100 nanocomposites while it is removed by 40% in case of using Mesoporous TiO2/Ta2O5. Effluent treated water from previous routes was subjected to biological treatment and followed with disinfection by using UV as post-treatment. Final COD was 40 and it matches with Egyptian practice code for water reuse in agriculture. Results showed also using treated wastewater in irrigation of Barley and Bean seeds achieved germination ratio up to 71% in Barely and 70% in Bean compared with that irrigated with Nile water which reached 70% and 75%, while it was about 16.6% and 30% in case of irrigation with untreated wastewater.

Can the Nile Generate Output, Income and Employment in Egypt? A Mixed Multiplier Analysis

Nile water availability is one of the major constraints for agricultural development in Egypt. This study conducts a mixed multiplier analysis, under water and land constraints, to identify the seasonal agricultural activities with high output and income multipliers. It uses a 2008/09 SAM for Egypt with detailed representation for Nile-related production factors employed by agricultural activities across irrigation seasons. The results demonstrate the significance of addressing Nile water constraints not only for agriculture, but also for the overall economy. Policies that enhance water productivity, particularly in winter season, generate outstanding increases in output, income, and employment through sizable multiplier effects.

The Utilization of Nile Water among the Riparian States: Tensions and Controversies on the Filling and Annual Operation of the GERD

Despite the fear entertained by the downstream countries of the Nile basin, little attention was paid to the right of Ethiopia to utilize the Blue Nile waters. The purpose of this study is to explain the tension between upper riparian Ethiopia and downstream Sudan and Egypt on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) filling and controversies on its annual operation. A descriptive qualitative research method was employed to describe the tension concerning the filling and controversies on the annual operation of the GERD. The investigation relied on secondary sources of data obtained from YouTube videos of international broadcast media such as CGTN, Aljazeera, and TRT World. In addition, national broadcast media of Ethiopia (Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation and Ahadu Television), Sudan (Sudan Tribune), and Egypt (Daily News Egypt) accessed to make data balance. Moreover, letters from these countries sent to the UNSC have been reviewed. Besides, published and unpublished secondary sources on the Nile basin hydro-politics and the GERD were reviewed. The finding of the study reveals that the filling of the dam does not constitute significant harm as it can be seen from the first phase filling given the hydrological condition in the Eastern Nile Basin. The controversy regarding the annual operation of the GERD arises from the fear that their historical and current water use will be threatened. They wanted to conclude the binding agreement in their favor at the expense of Ethiopia’s future utilization of Blue Nile water. Their fear is Ethiopia would not remain faithful to its promises that the dam and its filling do not affect their water security. Rather than basing their claim on invalid colonial treaties, Egypt and Sudan should acknowledge Ethiopia’s right to utilize the Blue Nile water resource and fill the dam without causing significant harm. It is suggested to clear distrust and discuss issues of common concern by tolerating short-term risk for the long-term collective prosperity.