Egypt's Water Ministry cracks down on illegal sewage dumping in Minya

Citizens recorded a video showing a ditch‑cleaning tractor dumping untreated sewage into the Al‑Muhit canal near the village of Simaloot in Minya Governorate. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation acted immediately under Ministerial Decree No. 1 of 2026, inspected the site at kilometre 25 and confirmed the violation.

The driver of the tractor was detained and a police report (No. 7/2026) was filed. Under Egyptian law the offence carries up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 200,000 Egyptian pounds, with penalties doubled for repeat violations. The ministry stressed that both the waste producer and the driver are liable, urged all operators to dispose of waste legally, and thanked the public for reporting such incidents. It also noted that its regional offices continuously monitor and record similar violations, offering support via a dedicated WhatsApp line for reporters.