LEB Direct Action - contribution to improved access to water and sanitation services in Bekaa Valley

The Bekaa is hosting the largest number of Syrian Refugees (370’850) in Lebanon. The big influx has deteriorated the already fragile and weak infrastructure and services in general and more precisely in the periphery areas. The Bekaa Water Establishment is the main institution in charge of providing Water and Sanitation services for a population of 1 million living in the Bekaa Valley. With longstanding difficulties and limitations, supporting the Establishment to maintain and improve its services becomes crucial. This project will serve Lebanese communities, Syrian and Palestine Refugees with a conflict sensitive approach.

To enhance resilient, sustainable and conflict sensitive public water management in Bekaa Valley.

At systemic level, the main beneficiary will be the BWE, which is in charge of providing Water and Sanitation services to the whole population in the Bekaa Valley.

At individual level, the beneficiaries will be the whole population of the Bekaa Valley (estimated at 1 million people) including:

Approximately 542’118 resident Lebanese (including Lebanese returnees from Syria);

Syrian Refugees which according to UNHCR (22 Dec 2016) were 370’850 registered refugees living in 83’857 households in Bekaa; and

Palestine Refugees: approximately 32’659, including Palestine Refugees from Lebanon and from Syria.

1. The BWE has adopted a data-based management in some of its core activities;
2. The BWE can provide a more equitable access to drinking water based on a better control on water quantities flowing in its networks and a reduction of water unaccounted for;
3. The BWE has capacities in monitoring the Operations and Maintenance (O and M) of Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) in an efficient and environmentally sound manner;
4. Safe drinking water delivered for a part of the refugee and host communities through chlorination of water and protection of critical wells and springs.

Expected results:  

1.1 Support to daily operations and contribution to technical integrity of BWE activities;

1.2 Knowledge transfer and contribution to staff motivation of BWE;

2.1 Monitoring water resources and measuring water production;

2.2 Reducing the non-revenue water and increasing the amount collected ;

2.3 Bulk metering to adapt the distribution patterns and connection of ITS to existing networks

3.1 Performance Monitoring to improve Operations and Maintenance of WWTP

3.2 Social engineering and CSPM applied to WWTP

4.1 Disinfection of drinking water

4.2 Protection of springs and wells

Other WASH actors include ICRC, OXFAM, MEDAIR, MCI, LOST and Lebanese Red Cross as well as engineering offices and contractors.

The Swiss project will be coordinated with BWE to avoid any duplication and search for synergies with other projects funded by USAID, EU and GIZ that focus on cost recovery, water quality, and extension of networks and installation of water meters at household level.

Phase 1 01.10.2015 - 31.12.2020   (Active)