Create framework conditions for improved water and wastewater management in Lebanon

Context 

The crises in Lebanon have heavily affected the water sector. As a result, the country is facing major challenges to improve wastewater management.

The financial and technical resources of the four regional water establishments are currently insufficient to adequately manage wastewater. The establishments are impacted by an unreliable public power supply and cannot afford expensive private alternatives. Moreover, there is a shortage of staff because salaries are being devalued by inflation. In addition, the current water tariffs can no longer cover the operating costs to a large extent.

Objective

The necessary conditions are in place to improve the legal, financial, institutional and organisational framework for wastewater management in Lebanon.

Approach

The Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) aims to address the challenges of inadequate wastewater management in Lebanon with the help of a national water and wastewater strategy and two other strategic documents. They set out the short and medium-term measures that are to maintain services and support longer-term reforms in this area. Measures include the required contributions and decisions of the MoEW and the necessary financial and technical support from the donor community.

In close cooperation with the MoEW, regional water establishments and other donor and implementing organisations, the project supports the following:

• The project pilots energy-efficient sewage sludge management.
• It supports a regional water establishment by implementing measures to improve monitoring of the production and supply of water.
• It carries out energy audits in wastewater treatment plants in order to be able to increase energy efficiency and integrate renewable energies.

Last update: August 2023