Egypt plans to roll out an electronic licensing system for groundwater wells nationwide as it seeks to strengthen oversight of groundwater use and encourage modern irrigation and solar-powered pumping, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said.

Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam issued the directives during a meeting to review groundwater management across the country, including efforts to identify wells and violations, enforce removal orders, take legal action against offenders and collect outstanding government dues.

The ministry said the electronic system would be expanded across all relevant departments as a step towards fully digitising groundwater well licensing, allowing users to receive licensing decisions electronically and speeding up procedures.

Officials also reviewed plans to strengthen digital governance of the groundwater sector, which the ministry said would improve services and enhance authorities’ capacity to monitor wells nationwide.

Sewilam directed officials to promote modern irrigation systems on farmland dependent on groundwater in an effort to improve water-use efficiency.

He also called for greater use of solar energy to operate groundwater wells, a move aimed at lowering operating costs while expanding the use of cleaner energy.

Egypt faces growing pressure on its limited water resources as demand increases, prompting the government to pursue measures aimed at improving water-use efficiency and strengthening monitoring and management.

The ministry said officials were also considering an awareness campaign to explain the regulations governing groundwater use and plans to strengthen water-user associations.

Sewilam also ordered intensive training for a group of young ministry engineers through the Regional Training Center for Water Resources and Irrigation as part of efforts to develop a new generation of technical staff for the groundwater sector.

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