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Water resources in Egypt, among which the Nile River is the most celebrated throughout history, are variable. At ancient times, It was deeply rooted in the heart of each Egyptian that the Nile River was sacred and thus had to be preserved clean to avoid the wrath of the Gods. Today the Nile River and all Egypt's Waters are crying out for help according to the available researches. Water pollution sources in Egypt today are various and Industrial wastes are considered the major source. On the other hand, about 90% of the rural populations have no access to sewer systems or wastewater treatment facilities. The use of fertilizers and pesticides has significantly increased after the construction of High Dam and causes weed flourishing, which increases evapotranspiration, blocks the waterways, and provides habitats for Bilharzia snails. Algal blooming and their toxins as a drastic source of water pollution in Egypt, has never been the target of any study before carried by the
Egyptian researchers till 1994. In this year, Lake Nasser and fresh water canal in Port Said were invaded by algal blooms.
The Governmental action to solve the water pollution crisis in general and the fresh water problem is desperately needed but not gained yet, despite of the all the floral promises, media announcements, conferences and posters(according to the reports of the Ministry of Environment and the cry-outs of stakeholders remarkably reported by media. The current situation of fresh water canal in Port Said, as case of study, has reached a pathetic condition. The canal receives diverse sources of pollution such as agricultural and liquid discharges from stables along the canal. On the other hand the low level of sanitation service especially in rural areas (7% at most) makes nearby streams (either canals or
drains) the perfect places for inhabitants to dispose their sewage as in the case of Ezbet El-Eslah About 225 NGOs were established in Port Said among which only 2 associations are active in the field of environment protection. Conferences have been a powerful advocacy method for Balady Association enabling scientists to share their voices, make contacts and influence Two prominent individual waters warriors in Egypt are Dr. Ahmed Abdel Azeem and the writer of this article (Gihan Soliman) who have been ardently involved in the leadership of several societies (International-Curricula Educators Association, Balady Port Said, St Kathrine for Social and Environmental Services,…etc) and have been leading several initiatives aiming at raising public awareness and lobbying against water pollution, as a specific case of protecting the Egyptian environment, such as Science Across Egypt (implemented on Port Said American School , St. Kathrine and Port Said Experimental School as models) and "Stop, Our Environment is Our Life" and who finally established the International Foundation for Environment Protection and Sustainability in advocacy for the Egyptian Environment, monuments and Waters.
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