Egypt's Cabinet Media Centre on Wednesday dismissed social media claims that the artificial lakes of the Downtown Lagoon Project in New Alamein are being filled with Nile River water, confirming instead that desalinated sea water is used exclusively. The project, which features 11 man-made lakes, is part of a wider initiative to boost tourism and urban development along Egypt's North Coast, aiming to position the region as a global hub for tourism, residential living, and logistics. The statement further said that trial filling of the largest lake is underway to test the sealing system's effectiveness, marking the first operational step among the interconnected lakes. The development also includes islands, a recreational promenade, pedestrian and cycling paths, electric vehicle lanes, and a range of tourism, hospitality, and service facilities — all introduced for the first time in Egypt. The clarification comes amid heightened public scrutiny of water resource management in the country, where the Nile remains a vital and contested resource. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
