Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly on Monday inaugurated the first smart command and control centre for Alexandria's state-run water utility, as part of a national push to strengthen crisis management and digital transformation in public services. The centre, operated by the Alexandria Drinking Water Company under the Holding Company for Water and Wastewater, will oversee real-time monitoring of the city's water infrastructure, improve emergency responsiveness, and connect directly with Egypt's national emergency system. "The centre is a model for modern crisis management and part of our strategy to ensure 24/7 water service, especially during the rainy season," Prime Minister Madbouly said during the launch, adding that it reflects President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to upgrade service delivery nationwide. Equipped with SCADA systems, GIS mapping, and a 24-hour hotline system, the facility allows for instant reporting and rapid incident resolution. The Alexandria Govenror Ahmed Khaled said the centre is linked to all other service control hubs in the city to streamline operations and ensure coordinated emergency response. Minister of Housing Sherif El-Sherbiny called the facility a "qualitative leap" in water network management, with capabilities to instantly detect leaks, monitor pressure levels, and maintain water quality standards. Company chairman Ahmed Gaber said the utility's current infrastructure development is aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030, with a focus on reducing losses, improving pressure systems, and expanding production capacity. He also noted progress on the Hayah Kareema (Decent Life) Initiative, which aims to extend water services to underserved rural areas. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Nafea, head of Alexandria's Wastewater Company, said the city has significantly expanded its wastewater network over the past decade, increasing the number of pumping stations to 183 from 141 and wastewater treatment plants to 21 from 15 since 2015. He said current coverage now exceeds 92 per cent. Nafea added that Alexandria is implementing an emergency drainage plan to boost preparedness for the rainy season. He highlighted ongoing efforts to improve climate resilience, expand renewable energy use, and support the national New Delta project aimed at enhancing agricultural output. Prime Minister Madbouly also inspected a mobile crisis unit equipped to respond rapidly to on-ground incidents and ensure water quality control during emergencies. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
