Optimization for Sustainable Water Resources Lebanon Case Study The Lower Litani River Basin

1. Optimization for Sustainable Water Resources Lebanon Case StudyThe Lower Litani River Basin Earth Link and Advanced Resources Development (ELARD)in cooperation withThe Lebanese National Center for Remote Sensing (NCRS) MaltaOctober 28-29, 2004 Environmental and Water ResourcesManagement Consultants Lebanese National Center forRemote Sensing

2. OUTLINE • Introduction • Integrated Water Resources Management • Description of Case Study • Key Stakeholders • Main Water Uses and Users • Driving Forces • Water issues and challenges • SWOT analysis • Data requirements and constraints • Conclusions

3. INTRODUCTION • This case study will be prepared by ELARD, a regional consulting firm in the fields of environmental and water resources management based in Lebanon, in cooperation with the Lebanese National Center for Remote Sensing (NCRS)

4. OBJECTIVES OF IWRM • To conserve water through a more efficient allocation of the resource and protection of its quality; • To solve conflicts among competing uses and users; • To account for the social, economic and environmental value of water; • To increase the participation of communities and the private sector in decision-making and financing.

5. STRESSESPopulation growth, industrial, agricultural and touristic development, environmental and ecological needs, climate change, lack of awareness EconomicInstruments Primary Effects Water QualityManagement Deteriorated Water Quality IncreasedWater Demand Water DemandManagement EconomicInstruments Smaller Increase in Water Supply Water SupplyManagement Less Water of Adequate Quality Available Secondary Effects More complex management and insufficient capacity of institutions Increased needs by local communities Need for costly investments Increased conflicts Stakeholder participatoryapproach forconflict resolution - Institutional and legaldevelopment- Capacity building- Private sectorparticipation - CommunityInvolvement- Capacity Building Private SectorParticipation

6. DESCRIPTION OF CASE STUDY • The Lebanon case study covers the lower Litani River Basin • It is part of the area that has been recently liberated from Israeli occupying forces • It is therefore prone to extensive development, hence important stresses on water resources are anticipated and conflicts among different users likely to occur

12. THE STAKEHOLDERS • Public Authorities / agencies • MoEW (Ministry of Energy and Water) • South Lebanon Water and Wastewater Establishment • LRA ( Litani River Authority) • MoE (Ministry of Environment) • MoPWT (Ministry of Public Works and Transport) • MoPH (Ministry of Public Health) • MoA (Ministry of Agriculture) • MoSA (Ministry of Social Affairs) • Lebanese Meteorological service

13. THE STAKEHOLDERS (cont’d) • Research bodies • NCSR, NCRS • Universities • Local communities • Municipalities • NGOs • Private Sector / users • Farmers, COOPs • Industries • Consultants, water resources experts, water utility companies (?) • International Organizations • UNIFIL, USAID

14. Water Uses and Users • Irrigation / farmers • Domestic use/ local communities • Industrial use • Tourism / recreational • Environmental flow

15. Driving Forces • Population growth (new developing area) • Change in land use and development strategies • Technological change • Environmental needs • Climate change • Socio-economic conditions

16. Water Issues and Challenges • Inadequate legal and institutional frameworks with proper enforcement mechanisms • Lack of know-how of "Decision-makers" • “Non-coordination" among institutions • Lack of proper "pricing" framework • Lack of "dissemination" of information to different stakeholders

17. Water Issues and Challenges (cont’d) • Lack of human resources capable of addressing water management issues • Lack of participatory structures with active community involvement • Lack of sound environment for private sector participation • Lack of sufficient data on quantities, quality, demand, climate, etc. (lack of monitoring data)

18. SWOT ANALYSIS

19. Data Needs / Constraints

20. CONCLUSIONS • Data needed for optimisation of water resources is not readily available • There are also numerous challenges beyond technical ones towards a sustainable water resources management in the area (legal, institutional, economic, social) • This case study should serve however as an important example / model to be replicated in other river basins in the country

21. Thanks to all those who have put so much effort to organize this kick-off meeting (great job!) Questions are welcome...