Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is expanding its use of satellite imagery and remote sensing technology to detect illegal construction and other changes along waterways, according to a ministry statement on Saturday, 24 October.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reviewed a monitoring model developed by the ministry using Google Earth Engine, a platform that analyses satellite imagery to track changes in and around canals and other water bodies.
The model identifies newly constructed buildings along the banks of waterways, as well as changes affecting watercourses, allowing authorities to detect potential violations more quickly.
During the meeting, Sewilam stressed the importance of using satellite imagery to improve the monitoring of waterways and provide more accurate information to support water management decisions.
The ministry also discussed developing geospatial databases to document encroachments and changes along waterways. These databases would help field teams identify the locations of potential violations and respond more efficiently.
Sewilam directed officials to combine satellite observations with field measurements and existing ministry databases, while incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information systems (GIS) to analyse the information and support planning.
The initiative forms part of the ministry’s Water System 2.0 programme, which aims to modernise Egypt’s water management through digital technologies, improved monitoring systems, and data-driven decision-making.
The ministry did not specify when the monitoring model would be expanded across Egypt’s waterways or how many violations had been detected using the technology.
Egypt faces growing pressure on its water resources, with the Nile supplying the majority of the country’s freshwater. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has been working to modernise irrigation infrastructure and improve water distribution through upgraded monitoring systems, canal maintenance, and digital technologies aimed at increasing efficiency.
