UN Expert Welcomes Egypt’s Water Progress, Warns of Nile Pollution Risks

A United Nations human rights expert has welcomed Egypt's recent advances toward ensuring access to clean drinking water and sanitation, while warning that pollution, water scarcity and transparency gaps remain serious challenges — particularly for densely populated areas along the Nile.

Pedro Arrojo Agudo, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, issued the assessment at the conclusion of his official visit to Egypt, stressing that public data and accountability will be essential to achieving universal access.

"I have seen an important legal and institutional framework, as well as a high level of capacity in dealing with challenges affecting the right to drinking water and sanitation," Arrojo Agudo said.

Major Rural Investment Through "A Decent Life" Initiative

The Special Rapporteur highlighted Egypt's presidential rural development programme "A Decent Life", which includes 1,814 drinking water and sanitation projects aimed at improving services in villages nationwide.

He described the initiative as a promising step toward expanding infrastructure and addressing longstanding inequalities between urban and rural communities.

However, he cautioned that progress in service delivery must be matched with stronger protections for water quality and environmental sustainability.

Alarm Over Pollution Entering the Nile

Despite improvements in infrastructure, Arrojo Agudo expressed deep concern that pollution from multiple sources continues to flow into Egypt's main water lifeline.

He warned that:

• Agricultural drainage containing nutrients and agrochemical pollutants

• Industrial discharges

• Contaminated runoff

still end up in the Nile and its aquifers.

"I am deeply concerned that areas with major population concentrations, such as Cairo and the Delta area, could be affected by accumulated contamination along the Nile," he said.

The expert noted that toxic pollution can affect drinking water potability in ways that are not immediately detectable through taste or smell, posing hidden long-term health risks.

Concerns Over Desert Irrigation Expansion

Arrojo Agudo also questioned Egypt's push to expand irrigation systems in desert areas by diverting significant water flows away from the Nile Delta — particularly in a context of severe national water scarcity.

He warned that extending desert irrigation plans to the projected 1.6 million hectares could have dramatic environmental consequences.

"If the new desert irrigation systems were extended… it would dramatically accelerate the salinisation of the Delta and its aquifers," he said.

The Delta remains one of Egypt's most important agricultural and population centres, and increased salinity could undermine both food security and groundwater quality.

Tiered Pricing Welcomed, Poverty Access Still a Challenge

The UN expert welcomed Egypt's tiered water pricing system, which keeps basic household consumption affordable.

He emphasised that ensuring access for the poorest communities must remain a priority.

"Free connectivity and access to a basic supply of safe and drinking water should be established as the norm for those living in extreme poverty," he said.

However, he stressed that the main difficulties for low-income households often lie not in cost, but in the potability and safety of tap water.

Call for Greater Transparency and Public Data Access

A central theme of Arrojo Agudo's visit was the need for stronger transparency and public participation.

He encouraged the Egyptian State to provide free public access to water quality and pollution data, enabling informed debate and community engagement on vital issues.

"The UN expert also encouraged the State to provide free access to data, as a matter of public transparency," the statement said.

Report to UN Human Rights Council in 2026

Arrojo Agudo will present his full findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026, where Egypt's progress and remaining challenges will be reviewed in an international forum.

The visit underscores both the significant investments Egypt is making in water and sanitation infrastructure, and the urgent need to address pollution, scarcity and long-term sustainability in one of the world's most water-stressed regions.