The CLEAN Port Said project advances evidence-based water pollution management in Egypt, focusing on the Port Said, Lake Manzala interface. It is implemented in the coastal zone of Port Said, at the interface between Lake Manzala and the Mediterranean Sea, near the Suez Canal.
The northern coastal lakes of Egypt: Manzala, Edku, Burullus, Mariout, and Bardawil are vital for aquatic ecosystems and aquaculture, covering approx. 6% of non-desert land. Lake Manzala, the largest, is essential for fisheries and livelihoods but heavily impacted by untreated agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastewater. Heavy metals accumulate in bottom sediments, acting as sinks but also potential sources of recontamination. Limited water circulation and high sediment loads further increase the persistence of pollution.
Ongoing national restoration efforts (as of 2026) include dredging, new channels, and improved water management to enhance water quality, circulation, and fish production. Works include dredging near Boghaz Muthalath Al-Deeba, creation of radial channels to strengthen sea-lake exchange (e.g., El-Gamil outlet), and operation of the Bahr Al-Baqar wastewater treatment plant (since 2021) to reduce pollutant inflows.
Part of the EU-funded RHE-MEDiation Project and supporting the Institute of National Planning, CLEAN Port Said applies a data-driven approach: water and sediment sampling, accredited pollutant analysis (heavy metals and organic contaminants), microalgae-based remediation feasibility, and stakeholder engagement. It delivers a validated pollution baseline, identifies hotspots, and develops a replication roadmap. The selected testing site, an inlet connecting the lake to the Mediterranean, captures combined pollution pressures, making it a representative hotspot for remediation assessment.
By bringing together public authorities, experts, and local stakeholders through the “Clean Port Said” platform, the project strengthens collaboration and supports sustainable, long-term environmental planning.
Aligned with EU best practices, the project enhances environmental governance, strengthens monitoring capacity, and supports scalable nature-based solutions for Egypt and the Mediterranean.
