Cabinet confirms water safety across Egypt amidst contamination rumors

CAIRO – 25 September 2024: Egyptian Cabinet has denied claims circulated on WhatsApp regarding an alleged official warning for citizens to not use drinking water at some times during the day due to contamination with a harmful microbe.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Cabinet warned against audio messages sent on WhatsApp warning citizens from drinking from the tap from 3 AM to 10 PM, saying those records are baseless as no official entity has issued such warnings.

The Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) has confirmed that drinking water in all governorates is completely safe, free from harmful microbes or pollutants, and compliant with standards and specifications.

The HCWW emphasized that the water quality is continuously monitored by the company's quality control system and its subsidiaries, noting that these efforts are overseen by the Egyptian Water Regulatory and Consumer Protection Agency (EWRA) and the Ministry of Health.

The company urged citizens not to heed such misinformation and, instead rely on official sources for information.

The Cabinet called on public and media outlets to verify accuracy and objectivity before sharing news and to contact relevant authorities for confirmation before disseminating baseless information that can instill fear and anxiety among citizens.

Additionally, public are urged to report any rumors or misinformation through the Cabinet's media center on WhatsApp (01155508688 - 01155508851) or on email (rumors@idsc.net.eg) throughout the week.

Aswan tragedy

The rumors of water contamination follow a week of concern regarding an outbreak of illness in Aswan, Upper Egypt, where hundreds of residents sought medical treatment for symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, with suspicions raised about water quality.

While the minister confirmed that there have been five recent fatalities in Aswan hospitals, it remains unverified whether these deaths are linked to the outbreak.

After extensive testing and inquiries, Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar assured the public of the safety and purity of drinking water across all water facilities in the southern Egyptian governorate.

He highlighted that the outbreak of gastroenteritis was attributed to the presence of E. coli bacteria, as determined through the analysis of samples obtained from affected individuals.

Abdel-Ghaffar explained that E. coli infections are primarily spread through contaminated water or mishandled food, stressing that using such contaminated water for food preparation can lead to bacterial transmission.

He urged citizens to strictly adhere to personal hygiene guidelines.