Bahr El Baqar Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Bahr El Baqar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a large-scale national infrastructure project developed by Egypt government to treat agricultural drainage and municipal wastewater, enabling its reuse in land reclamation and agricultural development projects in the Sinai Peninsula.^{1 2}

The plant was conceived to address severe water pollution challenges in the Bahr El Baqar drain, one of the most contaminated drainage systems discharging into Lake Manzala.³ With a treatment capacity of approximately 5.6 million m³/day, the facility is recognized as one of the largest wastewater treatment plants globally.⁴ The project’s vision is to transform wastewater from an environmental liability into a strategic resource supporting agricultural expansion and water security.⁵ This approach aligns with Egypt Vision 2030, which emphasizes integrated water resource management, environmental protection, and sustainable development.⁶

The Bahr El Baqar WWTP applies advanced primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes to produce effluent that meets reuse standards for agricultural irrigation. ⁷ The plant includes large-scale pumping stations, sedimentation basins, advanced filtration units, and disinfection systems designed to handle extremely high pollutant loads.⁸ Treated water is conveyed through dedicated canals to irrigate hundreds of thousands of hectares in North and Central Sinai as part of national land reclamation programs.⁹

From a sustainability perspective, the project reduces pollutant discharge into Lake Manzala, improves public health outcomes, and supports long-term water reuse in a water-scarce country.¹⁰

The project was implemented by the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineering Authority in collaboration with national contractors, including Arab Contractors and Orascom Construction.¹¹

The Bahr El Baqar WWTP became operational in 2021 and is fully integrated into Egypt’s national water reuse and agricultural development strategy.¹² Its commissioning represents a major milestone in Egypt’s shift toward large-scale wastewater reuse as a strategic water source.¹³

The plant continues to play a critical role in supporting food security, environmental rehabilitation, and regional development objectives under Egypt Vision 2030.¹⁴