Physical features and drainage priorities in Egypt

Egypt is implementing one of the largest field drainage programmes in the world. An area of 3.4 million acres had been provided with subsurface field drainage by the end of the year 1989; this acreage will increase to 5.5 million by the year 2000. The criteria for prioritising these areas are quite complex. Physical features, depth of water table and level of salinity are still the most important factors. Problem areas, such as heavy soils, unstable soils, areas under artesian pressures, Nile Valley fringe areas, areas with rice or sugar‐cane in the crop rotations, and areas with shallow barriers, require unconventional design and/or different implementation techniques. The need to replace old subsurface drainage systems is becoming an important planning factor.