The economic and political crises and armed conflicts in Lebanon have badly affected the country’s water sector. The four regional water establishments responsible for supplying the population with water and for wastewater services are suffering from inadequate infrastructure, staff shortages, severe financial constraints and lack of technical capacities. This situation is exacerbated by unreliable power supply and low water and wastewater tariff which does not cover operating costs.
The Lebanese Government, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), has recognised the challenges in delivering adequate water supplies and wastewater services. In its National Strategy for the Water Sector, MoEW included measures to enhance management, administration and infrastructure in the sector.
Improved financial and organisational conditions help the Lebanese regional Water Establishments can better organise water supplies and wastewater services.
The project is working with the MoEW to implement its strategic objectives and the National Strategy for the Water Sector. It also offers a tailored support for the regional Water Establishments (WEs):
- The project is helping WEs to reduce water losses, while it is developing expertise within the WEs water establishments, with the aim of optimising wastewater management.
- It is improving the ability of selected water establishments to respond more effectively to crises and emergencies. It is supporting the targeted establishments in producing emergency response plans, while incorporating lessons learned from crisis and emergency management into a long-term resilience planning.