The groundwater rise in the east of Cairo and its impact on historic buildings

Rising groundwater levels east of the Nile in Greater Cairo are threatening historic buildings, with geotechnical investigations revealing that foundation damages are already widespread. This phenomenon is attributed to population growth and human activities, including irrigation water use and leakage from sewer and public water networks, which recharge the underlying Pleistocene aquifer. The construction of the Aswan High Dam has further exacerbated the issue by eliminating the Nile's role as a drainage system for the Cairo aquifer. While contaminated groundwater poses additional risks to stability, detailed subsoil conditions remain poorly understood, necessitating targeted rehabilitation and dewatering techniques to preserve Cairo's valuable antiques.

Masuch-Oesterreich, D. (2017). The groundwater rise in the east of Cairo and its impact on historic buildings. Geoscientific Research in Northeast Africa, 713–720. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203753392-127