The increasing water cuts have led Lebanese to conserve their water use. Many Lebanese have started storing water in order to offset the shortage.
Buckets and blow drys: Lebanon’s water-lite trick
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Monthly Archives: March 2014
Drought damaging, but part of natural cycle
According to experts the recent drought has affected the flora and fauna however this is part of a natural cycle that occurs every few decades. However, they cautioned that if this drought continues then it will be a problematic and Lebanese should increase their water efficiency.
Climate change, urbanization damaging water reserves
A decline of rainfall over the last few years has highlighted the danger of water scarcity in Lebanon. Though experts say this year’s dry spell is likely a natural variation in weather, they warned that climate change is causing a retreat in the country’s snow cover that replenishes its streams and could lead to a worsening water crisis in the coming years. Lebanon has three dams to store water but they need more because storing water above ground is one of the only viable options Lebanon has to confront water shortage.
Rainfall facts and figures
The Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute claimed that the country has seen 20 millimeters (total 181 millimeters) of rain during the three days leading up to Wednesday (last year between January 1 and mid March there was 650 millimeters of rain). The metrological department of the Beirut International Airport claims that on Wednesday alone there has been 18 millimeters of rain. They claim that Lebanon has seen 390 millimeters of rain (823 millimeters last year).
Beirut mayor defends Fouad Boutros Highway project
Beirut mayor defended the Fouad Boutros Highway project saying that it was consistent the “city’s urban and environmental fabric and would not diminish any heritage sites.” Most of the affected property has already been appropriated by the municipality. El Ard have been tasked with preparing a study on the project with another traffic consultant that should be completed by the end of summer 2014.
Waste Dumping in the River Joiet
The river Joiet in Zgharta has become a dump site for domestic industrial waste, and wastewater (discarded intentionally by some municipalities). Due the bad odors, mosquitoes, rodents, and health risks the population living within the vicinity of the have been voicing their concerns and demanding that water gets treated and municipalities stop dumping their waste. The Zgharta muncipalty claims that they cannot fix the problem because the Ministry of Public Works are in charge of cleaning water beds.
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17 diagnosed with hepatitis
The Ministry of Health declared that 17 people have been diagnosed with Hepatitis because of contaminated water. The cases were reported in the district of Hasbaya district in the Nabatiah governorate. The Water Establishment of the Sourth tested the water and found contamination in the drinking water system of the town of Kefir.
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Protest against gas station
Citizens of Baalbek and Ras Al Ain protested the imminent construction of a petrol station in a touristic area. The residents claim that the station will tarnish the image of the touristic district. The protestors say the piece of land is in a land area that is designated by the Supreme Council of Urban Planning as a cultural heritage site. The owner of the project claims that he has all the necessary licenses and permissions to build the fuel station.
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Taking aim at Lebanon’s water shortage
The Civic Influence Hub, who is behind the Blue Gold initiative is trying to implement programs that would reduce water waste. The short to medium terms goals are implementing appropriate irrigation schemes, monitoring water quality, and seeking to extract water from undersea freshwater springs.
Controversial landfill promises to become model of waste management
A landfill in the South that used to conduct illegal practices in waste management has turned to a new invention which may make them a model for waste management. The land fill has been using a device called the Rapid Pulse Carbonization which turns organic, solid, municipal, hospital, and slaughterhouse waste into carbon.
Ecocentra 