Potable water technology transfer and assessment in Egypt

Abstract

Egypt as well as many other countries, faces the problem of accute potable water supply shortage in many areas that are remote from fresh water supplies. The lack of water that struck some twenty African countries for four consecutive years and resulted in death of several thousands of people and loss of animals and properties will always remind us of the vital importance of potable and soft waters. The overpopulation and its uneven distribution contributed greatly to intensify the problem. The present work is devoted to analyse the present water demand in Egypt and the prevailing constraints. The feasibility of local manufacture of small desalination units, typically 50 and 500 cubic metre per day is demonstrated with the economic evaluation of these plants for small and medium sized communities.