Nahr Al Kalb and the Jeita Springs - an Iwrm Case Study

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NAHR AL KALB AND THE JEITA SPRINGS - AN IWRM CASE STUDY Nadim Farajalla, PhD Director of Research Climate Change and the Environment Program Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs American University of Beirut Note • This presentation will draw heavily on work conducted under a German-Lebanese Technical Cooperation Project for protecting the Jeita Springs – most graphics are taken from various reports produced under this project. Key Definitions • IWRM may be defined as a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems • It involves the integration of natural and anthropogenic systems – the former includes the integrated management of surface and groundwater resources Project Area Description • Case study is for the integrated management of surface and groundwater resources in the Nahr El Kalb area. • Surface water component: • Nahr El Kalb - catchment covers about 272 km2 • Average annual flow of around 254 million m3 • Groundwater component: • Jeita springs – catchment covers about 400 km2 • Average annual flow is estimated at about 210 million m3 • Catchment areas include a multitude of land uses Project Area Project Area Project Area Description • Catchment area – within Nahr El Kalb - includes a multitude of land uses and an equal number of threats • Significance of area: • Nearly 200,000 inhabitants • Major water source for Beirut • Major tourist attractions: • Ski resorts • Coastal resorts • Natural attractions - Jeita cavern, Faqra natural bridge, etc. • Archeological sites - Nahr el Kalb monuments, Kfardebian temples, etc. • Religious sites – Harissa, Bkirke, etc. • Shopping district - Kaslik Agriculture Urban Forests Industrial and Roads Erosion and quarries Mass Movement Identification of Stakeholders • Ministry of Energy and Water (Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment) • CDR • Residents • Farmers • Industrialists • Tourist resorts owners/operators • Local and national NGOs • Donors Problem Identification • Increasing pollution of surface and ground water • Identified threats: • Agriculture • Gas stations and car shops • Quarries • Slaughter houses • Feedlots • Industries • Restaurants, hospitals, other wastewater generators • Increased tension over allocation of water between cazas – Keserwan, Jbeil and Metn – and within cazas. Actions Taken • Series of public hearings with local citizenry to identify local perspectives of problems • Involvement of CDR and MOEW in formulating plans for managing water resources – wastewater collection networks, water supply networks, environmental impact assessments guidelines, etc. • Development of wastewater collection network and treatment facilities • Proposal for increasing groundwater recharge through construction of a dam – as an adaptation measure to climate change Precipitation What is still missing? • Institutional framework to manage the basins • Targeted regulations • Monitoring protocols for surface and subsurface resources • Sustainable buy-in by the stakeholders Thank You .

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