LEBANON WATER PROJECT YEAR FIVE, QUARTER THREE REPORT

This publication was produced by the Lebanon Water Project under Contract No. AID-268-N-15-00001 at the request of the United States Agency for International Development. This document is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author or authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the U.S. Government.

LEBANON WATER PROJECT YEAR FIVE, QUARTER THREE REPORT

Program Title: Lebanon Water Project

Sponsoring USAID Office: Lebanon

Contract Number: AID-268-N-15-00001

Contractor: DAI Global, LLC

Date of Publication: July 29, 2020

Author: Lebanon Water Project

This publication was produced by the Lebanon Water Project under Contract No. AID-268-N-15-00001at the request of the United States Agency for International Development. This document is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the author or authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the U.S. Government.

CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS V INTRODUCTION 1 SECTION I – OVERVIEW 3 SITUATIONAL UPDATE 3 SUMMARY BY RESULT 3 SIGNIFICANT MEETINGS AND EVENTS SUMMARY 6 SUCCESS STORIES 8 SECTION II – PROGRESS BY RESULT 9 RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND RESOURCES BY THE FIVE PUBLIC WATER UTILITIES (THE RWES AND THE LRA) THAT ARE MANDATED BY LAW TO PROVIDE WATER, WASTEWATER, AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN LEBANON, AND BY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES WHERE FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE 9 TASK A.1. STRENGTHEN RWES AND LRA PLANNING AND INTERNAL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 9 TASK A.2. IMPROVE BILLING AND COLLECTION 12 TASK A.3. REDUCE NON-REVENUE WATER LOSSES 13 TASK A.4. WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE PLANS IN PLACE AND ENFORCED FOR WATER UTILITIES IN THE SELECTED AREAS OF INTERVENTION 14 TASK A.5. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO IMPROVE HOURS OF SERVICE 14 TASK A.6. IMPROVE COMMUNAL WATER SERVICE DELIVERY 15 TASK A.7. IMPROVE AND EXPAND WATER SERVICES FOR LEBANESE CITIZENS 16 TASK A.8. IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN SELECTED AREAS 19 TASK A.9. SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTEXT APPROPRIATE MODELS FOR SANITATION SERVICE AND SEWAGE MANAGEMENT 20 TASK A.10. IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION/PROTECTION 21 Task A.11: Decrease Operational Costs for RWEs 22 RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT AND ADVANCE CITIZEN PERCEPTION OF THE WATER UTILITIES ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY AND VALUABLE SERVICE 50 Task B 1. Improve Customer Satisfaction with Services Provided by Public Water Utilities 50 TASK B.2. REDUCE NONPRODUCTIVE (WASTEFUL) USES OF WATER IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS IN THE SELECTED AREAS OF INTERVENTION 51 TASK B.3. INCREASE CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN IMPROVING WATER USE BEHAVIOR FOR ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION 51 RESULT C: IMPROVE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT 60 TASK C.1. DEVELOP A PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY, WASTEWATER, OR IRRIGATION SERVICE DELIVERY 60 TASK C.2. DEVELOP AT LEAST ONE PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO LEVERAGE THE FUNDING OF INNOVATIVE WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES 61

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TASK C.3. DEVELOP AT LEAST ONE PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE WATER USAGE AWARENESS 61 ANNEX A – SUMMARY OF GRANTS 70 ANNEX B – SUMMARY OF TRAININGS 74 ANNEX C – SUMMARY OF GENDER INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES 75 ANNEX D – SUMMARY OF SHORT TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 76 ANNEX F –SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS STATUS 80 ANNEX G – SUMMARY OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA 93

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ACWUA Arab Countries Water Utilities Association

ALI Association of Lebanese Industrialists

AUB American University of Beirut

BMLWE Beirut-Mount Lebanon Water Establishment

BWE Bekaa Water Establishment

CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy

CCIAZ Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Zahleh and Bekaa

CSO Civil Society Organization

DAI DAI Global LLC

DG Director General

DO Development Objective

EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

ERAC Environmental Review Assessment Checklist

ERO Environmental Review Officer

ERP Microsoft Dynamics NAV-Enterprise Resource Planning

FOM Field Operations Manual

GIS Geographical Information System

LRA Litani River Authority

LRC LebRelief Council

LWP Lebanon Water Project

MoEW Ministry of Energy and Water

NLWE North Lebanon Water Establishment

O&M Operation and Maintenance

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PDOC Projects Decreasing Operational Cost

PODA Project Outside of Demonstration Area

PPP Public Private Partnership

Q1 Quarter One

Q2 Quarter Two

Q3 Quarter Three

Q4 Quarter Four

RWE Regional Water Establishment

SLWE South Lebanon Water Establishment

STTA Short Term Technical Assistance

USAID United States Agency for International Development

WELI Water Efficiency in Lebanese Industry

WQAP Water Quality Assurance Plan

WSA Water Security Analysis

WW Wastewater

WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant

Y1 Year One

Y2 Year Two

Y3 Year Three

Y4 Year Four

Y5 Year Five

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INTRODUCTION The goal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) for Lebanon is “improved accountability and credibility of public institutions, and broader economic prosperity”. In the water sector this CDCS is advanced through USAID’s Development Objective (1) (DO1) of “improved capacity of the public sector in providing transparent quality services across Lebanon”. In line with USAID’s DO1, the Lebanon Water Project (LWP) is a five-and-a-half-year activity funded by USAID with a goal to increase reliable and sustainable access to water for citizens, improve water management practices, enhance the efficiency and sustainability of the Regional Water Establishments (RWEs) and the Litani River Authority (LRA), reduce non-revenue water, and improve irrigation water use.

Building on past USAID assistance to the Lebanese water sector and partnering with the Beirut- Mount Lebanon Water Establishment (BMLWE), Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE), South Lebanon Water Establishment (SLWE), North Lebanon Water Establishment (NLWE), and LRA, LWP strives to meet its ultimate objectives through three interrelated results:

 Result A: Improve service delivery and resource management by the five public water utilities (the four RWEs and the LRA) that are mandated by law to provide water, wastewater, and irrigation management services in Lebanon, and by local municipalities where feasible and appropriate.

 Result B: Improve civic engagement in water management and advance citizen perception of the water utilities role in providing a necessary and valuable service.

 Result C: Improve private sector involvement in water management.

The implementation of these results, along with associated tasks and activities, has taken and will continue to take place at the RWEs including specific areas referred to as “Demonstration Areas”, which have been identified as the Cazas of Koura, Metn, Zahleh, and Jezzine.

LWP moved forward in Year Five (Y5) Quarter Three (Q3) with its activities, despite the political and economic turmoil that started in October 2019, and despite the COVID-19 virus worldwide health crisis that reached Lebanon in February 2020 and led to a national lockdown from March 2020 until May 18, 2020. On October 17, 2019, and as a reaction to planned new government taxes, protests arose and quickly spread throughout the whole country, as protesters demanded the government’s resignation and the adoption of political and economic reforms. As the Lebanese government resigned yielding to pressure and the new government was appointed, protests slowed down while economic and banking measures continued being imposed by the Lebanese banking system and continued slowing down business, even to a halt at times. By mid- January 2020, and as Lebanon was still dealing with the fallouts of the political and financial crisis, the COVID-19 virus was rapidly spreading, with the newly elected government attempting to contain it. By mid-March 2020, after closing schools and implementing health and safety measures, and to better manage the health crisis, the government was forced implement a national lockdown, with general mobilization of various security forces including the Lebanese Armed Forces, ordering business shut down, recommending work from home, imposing curfew hours, and leaving only few public institutions open offering essential services.

Despite these dire circumstances, LWP was still able to continue with its activities as described in this report, which covers the period starting April 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2020. The report is

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structured into three main sections: Section I provides an overview of LWP activities over the course of Y5-Q3. Section II shows specific progress of LWP Results A, B, and C for Y5-Q3 and next steps. Section III focuses on LWP management and operations.

The annexes to this report provide additional information on:

 Annex A: Summary of Grants for Y5-Q3.

 Annex B: Summary of Trainings for Y5-Q3.

 Annex C: Summary of Gender Integration Activities for Y5-Q3.

 Annex D: Summary of Short Term Technical Assistance provided by LWP in Y5-Q3.

 Annex E: Environmental Compliance Reporting for Y5-Q3.

 Annex F: Summary of Construction Works Status for Y5-Q3.

 Annex G: Summary of Communication and Media for Y5-Q3.

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SECTION I – OVERVIEW This section provides an overview of LWP activities in Y5-Q3 and includes a summary of the LWP quarter by result, a summary of important meetings and events, and a synopsis of lessons learned.

SITUATIONAL UPDATE While economic activity around the world has been dramatically slowed as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic, Lebanon has suffered even further because of two embedded layers of national crisis (namely: political and financial) upon which the public health situation is overlaid.

As for the political, in October 2019, after the government attempted to levy a set of additional taxes, protests erupted all over Lebanon in response. Soon enough, thousands of protestors took to the streets, demonstrating peacefully at first and calling for the removal of the elitist political class with an overhaul of the corrupted nepotistic system, and asking for an independent government composed of technocrats to take the reins and implement reforms. A financial crisis tailed this political wind of change and led to new skyrocketing conversion rates of the Lebanese pound against the U.S dollar, which had been pegged at LBP 1500 to $ 1.00 for over 20 years. As a consequence, the originally peaceful demonstrations soon turned into rioting and clashing with governmental security forces, and by January 2020, they had forced the incumbent government to resign and a new government to be appointed. Despite this encouraging turn of events, the financial woes exacerbated into a liquidity crunch of unseen proportions, which led to the closure of most banking institutions, restricted access to bank deposits and loans, especially in foreign currency, and an inability to move capital and funds around. Needless to say, most businesses in Lebanon were deeply impacted by the political and economic turmoil; some were brought to a total halt.

While the new government was attempting to develop strategies to rescue Lebanon’s sinking boat, the first case of COVID-19 hit the country in February 2020. To prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus, schools were shut at the beginning of March 2020. On March 15, the newly elected Cabinet, along with the Higher Defense Council, declared a general mobilization period and a national lockdown to contain the pandemic. Originally planned for two weeks, the lockdown was renewed periodically until May 18, 2020 and was combined with a curfew and mobility restrictions for increased efficiency. As the lockdown was removed and activities slowly returned to their normal pace, general mobilization with travel restrictions (including the closure of the airport) was extended well into July 2020. This perfect storm had a dampening effect at a national level, which also adversely impacted freedom of movement between regions, normal business dealings, as well as social and professional interactions. By the end of June 2020, political, economic, and financial conditions in the country were disastrous enough to jeopardize the future viability of many private and public sector entities, including the RWEs.

SUMMARY BY RESULT LWP continued its simultaneous implementation of Results A, B, and C. These results, and their related tasks and activities, are interdependent and build on one another to create an inclusive and mutually reinforcing approach that will deliver comprehensive results. Through Result A, LWP directly strengthens the RWEs and LRA from within, making them efficient in management and service delivery. Building on Result A improvements, Result B seeks to restore a balanced relationship between the improved RWEs and LRA and citizens by turning citizens into responsible customers that have rights, but also obligations towards the RWEs and LRA. Finally, building on the

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ground laid by both Results A and B, Result C seeks to remedy the existing disconnect between the Lebanese public and private sector by bringing both sectors closer via cooperation and partnership.

Below is a synopsis of Result A, B, and C accomplishments in Year 5, Quarter 3.

Result A: Improve service delivery and resource management by the five public water utilities (the four RWEs and the LRA) that are mandated by law to provide water, wastewater, and irrigation management services in Lebanon, and by local municipalities where feasible and appropriate

LWP received a contract modification this quarter, which increased the contract ceiling and obligated amount by $4.9 million and added a new task under Result A, focused on decreasing operational costs for the RWEs. Alongside preliminary actions under the new Task A.11, LWP continued its Microsoft Dynamics NAV-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), information and communication technology (ICT), and infrastructure support activities this quarter to directly strengthen the RWEs and LRA to improve efficiency in management and service delivery. This quarter’s achievements in ERP interventions, ICT assistance and upgrades, infrastructure support activities, and the new task under Result A are discussed below.

The ERP systems allow the RWEs to become more administratively and financially efficient. It also ensures greater quality control, leading to more informed decision-making, which will also contribute to the RWEs’ improved business performance. Year 5, Q3 marked the continuation of the handover plan for the Bekaa Water Establishment’s (BWE) ERP system and routine assistance for the ERP systems of the North and South Lebanon Water Establishments. LWP extended BWE’s NAV consultant’s contract for a second time to ensure continued proper functioning of the upgraded ERP, supported BWE in verifying its financial data and financial reports for the 2020 modules, and continued the finalization of the ERP user manuals in preparation for the final handover expected next quarter. In support of the North Lebanon Water Establishment’s (NLWE) ERP system, LWP remotely assisted NLWE with its Billing & Collections (B&C), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Human Resources modules, “going live” with the B&C module in the Tripoli branch for all users, activating the CRM module to allow NLWE to receive customer calls on a new hotline number, and generating the May payroll for NLWE employees. LWP assisted the South Lebanon Water Establishment’s (SLWE) ERP system this quarter, working with the B&C team to modify the procedure to allow subscribers to pay for water service quarterly instead of annually and provided the ERP objects that will enable SLWE to register the patent for the HEERAM smart information management system that launched last quarter.

LWP continued its three-phase ICT support activities for the four RWEs and the LRA this quarter. Assistance and upgrades included validating network communication links, configuring servers, migrating the Diavaso meter reading software from the testing environment to the RWEs’ IT environments, and installing enhanced security measures and redundant connections to ensure connectivity in the case of an outage.

LWP continued progress in the Jezzine, Metn, and Koura demonstration areas under a “closing the water loop” approach. Following the completion of all construction works in the Jezzine demonstration area last quarter, LWP began the official handover process on June 16, 2020. Works completed in the Jezzine demonstration area include the rehabilitation of a customer service center, four wells, three springs, two pump stations, eleven reservoirs; the construction of three new water reservoirs, 8.7 kilometers of water transmission lines, 40 kilometers of water transmission networks; and installation of 3,900 customer water meters, 65 source and district water meters, and six chlorination systems among others. In the Metn demonstration area, construction works gradually resumed in April 2020 following a brief hold to comply with the Government of Lebanon’s COVID-19 lockdown. Ongoing works in the Metn demonstration area include installation of 32,000 customer water meters and 77 district water meters; rehabilitation of 10 reservoirs; and complex

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testing of bacteriological, chemical, and physical characteristics of water at 10 project sites continued to ensure overall water quality and safety, with estimated completion by the end of 2020. Construction work also resumed in the Koura demonstration area this quarter, which includes rehabilitation of the Jradeh pumping station and surrounding wells, construction of a reservoir, over seven kilometers of water distribution network pipes, and installation of 1,150 customer meters and 25 source and district meters, estimated for completion before the end of the calendar year.

As noted above, the contract modification enacted this quarter introduced new Task A.11: Decrease operational costs for RWEs, in direct response to the financial and political crisis that has gripped Lebanon since October 2019 and been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis caused many water customers to stop paying their bills and the RWEs’ revenues have declined sharply. Facing the challenge of having to continue providing water and wastewater services with significantly reduced revenues and resources, the RWEs need immediate assistance in providing water and helping to prevent further instability as Lebanese citizens are already criticizing the poor provision of government services. LWP will assist the RWEs and LRA in lowering operational costs, thereby offsetting revenue shortfalls.

LWP assistance under this new task will focus on decreasing operations & maintenance (O&M) costs through installation of alternative energy sources and high-efficiency pumps, providing critical spare parts to reduce equipment down time, and engage in other activities including rehabilitating and upgrading RWE/LRA facilities. LWP will improve the O&M efficiency of at least 15 water/wastewater facilities/systems through these activities, identified as Projects Decreasing Operational Cost (PDOCs). The activities will decrease O&M costs of targeted facilities, focusing on offsetting electricity needs, as electricity is a key driver of O&M costs. By end of June 2020, LWP identified 37 potential sites after consultations with the RWEs and selected 17 sites for intervention across the four RWEs and LRA. Next steps include launching the Design and Construction Quality Control process and actual construction activities. This task is planned for completion in Year 6, Q2.

Result B: Improve civic engagement in water management and advance citizen perception of the water utilities role in providing a necessary and valuable service

Building on Result A, LWP worked to improve civic engagement in water management and advance citizen perception of the water utilities this quarter among the growing economic, health, and political crisis. Following the renewed focus on project communications in the prior quarter, LWP continued its work on a new communications strategy to implement changes in messaging and its communications tools, reflecting the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis and the current economic and political crises in Lebanon, including providing remote assistance to communications teams within the RWEs.

Throughout Q3, LWP continued readjusting its planned communication campaign on water conservation for BMLWE, NLWE, and SLWE. Key visuals and messaging content were discussed and the campaign launch is scheduled for the beginning of July, with a month long campaign planned for BMLWE and NLWE, and a two-week campaign for SLWE. LWP assisted the RWEs with their Facebook communications and outreach campaigns covering maintenance, water quality, and customer service hotline availability. By end of the quarter, LWP “boosted” 21 Facebook posts for SLWE and the first batch of posts for NLWE.

To address increased water demand management stemming from increased agricultural usage, LWP’s Strategic Communications Team is working on an awareness initiative to reduce irrigation water consumption, based on LWP’s proven success in this area. This communications and outreach initiative is planned to target a wide audience of farmers, cooperatives, agricultural equipment and

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material traders. LWP reached out to the directorate of cooperatives at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture-Zahlé (CCIAZ) for cooperation on the matter. All parties involved agreed to disseminate LWP-created messaging through existing networks to farmers, cooperatives, and members of CCIAZ to promote water conservation in agriculture.

Result C: Improve private sector involvement in water management

Building on Results A and B, LWP has improved private sector involvement in the water sector by creating a strategic model performance-based framework for the RWEs to support approved Public- Private Partnership (PPP) interventions. LWP’s PPP expert developed the three performance-based contract models with detailed scopes of work and tender documents for BWE, NLWE, and SLWE. The BWE PPP effort focuses on wastewater and is currently seeking funding. The NLWE PPP effort centers around overall improvement of Tripoli’s water system, which the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is considering funding. The SLWE PPP focuses on reducing SLWE’s energy costs through investment in solar energy.

The ongoing economic and political created a sizeable obstacle to PPPs because of the current inability of the RWEs and some private sector firms to engage in financial borrowing or loan activities. Lack of access to financing has dampened the will of some private sector firms to engage in proposed PPP activities. By the same token, the private sector has also been affected and its will to engage in such partnership dampened. While LWP understands that the decision to sign a performance-based contract is the prerogative of the RWEs, completion of the PPP efforts described above may be hindered until Lebanon achieves greater economic stability.

Despite these challenges, LWP made progress on a separate PPP initiative for BMLWE this quarter. After several months of follow-up with BMLWE, LWP finally obtained the approval of the BMLWE Director General to pursue a feasibility study for the proposed Hrach Hydropower Plant. After launching the request for proposals in April 2020, LWP held a pre-bid meeting for interested service providers, including international companies. In June 2020, after receiving eight proposals, the LWP evaluation committee met to finalize selection of the subcontractor that will conduct the study which is planned for next quarter. This new LWP study will provide necessary information on the technical, financial, and economic return of the proposed hydropower plant project, especially as it pertains to offsetting the energy costs of BMLWE’s nearby pumping station. Having a clear financial picture on this endeavor will increase BMLWE’s chances on venturing into a PPP with a private sector entity, designed to offset its energy bill.

For additional detailed information related to Results A, B, and C, please refer to Section II of this report.

SIGNIFICANT MEETINGS AND EVENTS SUMMARY Below is a summary of significant meetings and events for Y5-Q3.

April 7, 2020 – LWP support to PPP initiatives at a national level

Through its Water Stewardship program, LWP contributed on a Berytech webinar under the “Clean Technology Learning Series.” The series focuses on three pillars: Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, and Renewable Energy. The water and wastewater session showcased LWP activities and initiatives and the webinar was attended by more than 120 participants, with many asked interesting questions.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/CleantechAgriTechCommunity/permalink/559586191341112/

May 11, 2020 – Pre-bid meeting for the Hrach Hydropower Plant feasibility study

After launching the RFP for the feasibility study of the Hrach Hydropower plant on April 27, 2020, a virtual pre-bid meeting was held for interested bidders and was attended by eight out of the 11 service providers that originally collected the RFP. Some attendees represented international companies interested in participating.

June 17, 2020 – Completion of training on meters in the Jezzine demonstration area.

LWP completed the training on METER READING TRAINING FOR SLWE STAFF WITH COVID-19 meters (district and customer), PRECAUTIONS chlorinators, and electrical systems for 13 SLWE staff on June 17, 2020. The training, which started on March 10, was conducted for two out of three days, whereby the last day (March 12) was suspended due to the closure of the SLWE because of the COVID-19 threat and the DG’s request to immediately cancel all training activities. The training focused on customer meters with a demonstration on the meter reading software. It was delivered by the supplier Poseidon at SLWE’s office in Saida. In compliance with COVID-19 protective measures, trainees wore masks and were seated according to the appropriate physical distancing. PHOTO BY LWP The trainees showed interest in the material and were engaged in the session.

June 17, 2020 – Water Innovation Lab (WIL) initiative.

This was the first meeting with the participants of the Water Innovation Lab (WIL) program. The purpose of this meeting was to mentor students on ideas, problems faced by the water sector in Lebanon, and leadership skills/requirements. Over 15 experts and 80 participants (all Lebanese with some from abroad, except for one Jordanian engineer) were present. Participants came from different backgrounds, including various engineering specialties, law, environmental sciences, and sociology. Both LWP and AU participated in the meeting and Dr. Nadim Farjallah, from the American University of Beirut (AUB)- Issam Fares Institute/IFI, did a presentation using data on the water security analysis (WSA) work done in cooperation with LWP. The feedback given by the LWP team was highly appreciated as it brought “outside the box thinking” to participants and it shed light on the need for involving non-engineering specialties in water innovation. The mentorship process will continue until the end of the WIL program with interventions from LWP in specific sessions.

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SUCCESS STORIES Considering the health and political/economic crisis of the country, this quarter LWP did not submit any success stories.

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SECTION II – PROGRESS BY RESULT Below is a summary of the LWP progress for Y5-Q3 under each LWP Result, related tasks, and deliverables. At the end of Results A, B, and C, a detailed table of tasks and associated activities indicates progress specific to each task and its activities.

RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND RESOURCES BY THE FIVE PUBLIC WATER UTILITIES (THE RWES AND THE LRA) THAT ARE MANDATED BY LAW TO PROVIDE WATER, WASTEWATER, AND IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN LEBANON, AND BY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES WHERE FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE

TASK A.1. STRENGTHEN RWES AND LRA PLANNING AND INTERNAL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT This task involves assistance to the RWEs to improve their governance. It includes activities related to planning, the ERP software platform, training, asset management, Geographic Information System (GIS), and risk management. It is to be noted that due to the COVID-19 lockdown and reduced working hours, work with the RWEs slowed down. LWP maintained remote support where possible but some activities were delayed. The impact of these delays is not major and LWP will be able to make up for lost time.

Business Planning, Governance and Risk Planning

 Business plans. LWP initiated the business plan updates in Y5-Q2 for BMLWE, BWE, and SLWE, and will be using the Risk Management Plans as the basis to identify new strategic objectives. As for NLWE, at the request of the DG, the business plan update will focus on crisis management to address issues raised by the current political and financial situation of Lebanon.

 LRA Financial Model. LWP focused on completing the financial model for LRA throughout this quarter. The model is a strategic management tool designed to forecast LRA’s financial performance based on calculating its water balance. LWP started this activity in Y5-Q2, after working with LRA’s director of hydropower to review LRA’s water balance and agree on the initial concept of the model. By May 2020, LWP had designed the model and shared it with LRA to start populating it and trial test it. By mid-June 2020, water balance data was inputted as LWP added additional codes for each of LRA’s water sources, thereby making the model more user- friendly for tracking information. LWP also finalized the model’s built-in guide, which helps new users utilize it easily and effectively, and submitted the financial model to the DG on June 30, 2020. The financial model consists of a projection of LRA's revenues and expenses, derived from calculating the water balance for all LRA’s water sources, broken down by profit and cost centers. This information allows LRA to assess the profitability and impact of new projects and operational decisions on its sustainability. As such, the financial model is key for optimizing LRA's operation and improving its financial planning and decision-making process. LWP will continue its follow-up with LRA in the upcoming months to ensure users have fully grasped the model and are making adequate use of it, offering support as needed. ERP Software Platform

 BWE. During this quarter, LWP completed fixing the links between various modules and finalized preparation of financial reports on the ERP system. LWP extended, until the middle of July 2020, the contract of the NAV consultant recruited to ensure the proper functioning of the

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upgraded ERP. LWP’s support to BWE on the ERP focused on the accuracy of financial data and generation of financial reports. As the COVID-19 virus crisis expanded in Y5-Q3, LWP worked remotely on validating the financial reports generated from the ERP and provided support to generate the monthly payroll. Next steps include continuing with assisting BWE in validating and reconciling these accounts reports with BWE data. This process is expected to be completed in July 2020, after which the system could be considered fully operational. LWP also continued working on the review and finalization of the ERP user manuals, which will be submitted to BWE as part of the handover documentation.

 NLWE. Continuing the work of the previous quarter, LWP focused its ERP support to NLWE on the billing and collection module, the CRM module and other activities. During April 2020, LWP assisted NLWE remotely with payroll generation for the month of May, adjusting hours and time limits in the system to reflect lock-down hours, as well as providing support to users on their respective modules as needed. As activities picked-up, LWP continued assisting NLWE with its HR module, its B&C module, and CRM module. By end of June 2020, LWP had activated the CRM module allowing NLWE to receive customer calls on the new hotline number and went live with the B&C module in the Tripoli branch with all users, providing on-site support while working in parallel on both new and old systems to reconcile transactions. LWP also has designed additional financial reports requested by the finance manager. LWP is also finalizing the ERP user manuals and the solution design document, which will be submitted to NLWE as part of the handover documentation.

 SLWE. LWP assisted SLWE with various activities throughout this quarter. At the beginning of Y5-Q3, LWP worked remotely and on-site for the laboratory department with splitting sampling report results into two categories, regular and commercial. LWP also developed a new feature for SLWE that allows it to reserve items in the warehouse and trained the warehouse manager on using it. In May 2020, LWP supported SLWE’s billing and collection team remotely with modifying the procedure to allow subscribers to pay up to four bills per year instead of one bill, and corrected penalty calculation for overdue bills prior to 2002. In June 2020, LWP provided SLWE with the ERP objects that will enable it to register the patent of the HEERAM smart management information system, launched in Y5-Q2, with the Ministry of Economy and Trade. The LWP team also worked remotely to fix a connection issue between the ERP system and Bob Finance and OMT, and worked extensively with the finance manager and team with closing 2019 financial statements.

 Other. LWP continued providing support to UNICEF’s consultants to integrate the Customer Relations Portal and customer call center with the ERP systems at BWE, NLWE and SLWE. Also, in April 2020, LWP met Social Impact (SI) and SI’s ERP consultant regarding the independent verification of the installation of the ERP software at the RWEs. To facilitate SI’s work, LWP did a PowerPoint presentation on the ERP implementation at the RWEs (methodology, roles and responsibilities, etc.) under LWPP, LWWSS, and LWP. The presentation was followed by questions/answers and a general discussion. LWP shared with SI documentation requested to help in the assessment and remains ready to assist with organizing meetings with the RWE ERP users.

LWP Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Activities

 BWE. LWP worked with BWE on configuring and validating the network communication link between the headquarters and the Zahle branch and worked with the BWE IT department on adding additional configuration to the BWE security server. LWP also supported BWE with

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configuring security policies on the firewall and provided training to the IT department on this. LWP also continued supporting BWE with the development of its disaster recovery site design and with coordinating on the development of the BWE ICT Operations Document.

 BMLWE. LWP continued coordinating the post-implementation of the meter reading software with the subcontractor, throughout Y5-Q3. By end of quarter, LWP worked on the plan to migrate the system from the testing environment, once LWP receives the required equipment. The plan includes the setup of the server in BMLWE premises.

 NLWE. Based on NLWE’s request, LWP procured servers for NLWE and engaged in full discussions with the NLWE technical and management teams for the topology and setup of the Koura customer meter solution. By end of Y5-Q3, LWP had received the ICT equipment for the Koura project and started set-up in Tripoli.

 SLWE. LWP and its subcontractor assisted SLWE with the setup of the district meters’ software, integrated the software into SLWE’s IT environment, and enhanced security configurations. LWP also continued supporting SLWE with various issues such as fixing the Network Area Storage/NAS device, and installing a redundant WAN connection in case of an outage to the main one,

 LRA. Based on the ICT assessment report completed for LRA last quarter, and which serves as the basis for the planned IT infrastructure upgrades for LRA funded by UNICEF, LWP continued coordination with LRA on UNICEF’s IT activities during this quarter and will continue its assistance.

Internal Audit

As part its financial assistance to the RWEs, LWP continued its support to the RWEs as follows:

 All RWEs. For the third consecutive year, LWP launched the annual internal audit exercise at NLWE and SLWE in January 2020. This year, the audit exercise will be carried out by the two designated RWE teams under the supervision of LWP.

 BMLWE. During this quarter, LWP provided support for the financial department related to an external audit mission underway at the establishment as LWP helped BMLWE in reviewing its financial statements and documents to be ready for the audit. LWP also provided support to generate the cash basis reports for 2014 and 2015 fiscal years.

 BWE. LWP worked with the BWE staff remotely during this quarter to monitor the accuracy of financial and accounting transactions, as well as supervise the input of all missing 2019-2020 entries into the ERP to generate accurate reports.

 SLWE. This quarter SLWE, as all water establishments, faced very serious cash flow problems because of plummeting bill collection rates as a result of Lebanon’s growing political, economic, monetary, and health challenges. LWP took the initiative to deliver a three-day virtual training, beginning on May 8, 2020 on financial analysis to the SLWE audit team to help them better understand, analyze, and address the establishment’s financial situation. The sessions were held via Zoom video conferencing. The three-day training proved to be a success and trainees requested an additional practical session that was held on May 18, 2002. They also showed a high degree of commitment even though the sessions were held after working hours and during the holy month of Ramadan. The goal of the financial analysis training was to teach the SLWE

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team how to analyze SLWE’s financial performance and cash flow position, in general, as well as provide recommendations on how to deal with the current financial and cash flow crisis affecting the establishment. This analysis will be integrated in the internal audit exercise that LWP is doing with SLWE. In the written training evaluation forms, the trainees expressed high satisfaction with the training, liking the virtual approach.

 Other. As for the 14 NLWE and SLWE trainees that took the Certified Internal Auditor training LWP delivered and completed in Y5-Q2, they are still awaiting to sit for Part I of the US-based Institute of Internal Auditors’ Certified Internal Audit exam in the next months, as soon as the COVID-19 crisis allows for it. Passing candidates will be certified as Internal Audit Practitioners, allowing them to apply best practices in internal audit.

BWE Irrigation Master Plan (IMP)

LWP concluded the BWE IMP in Y4. This IMP provides a comprehensive geodatabase of the Bekaa irrigation schemes and identifies capital investments and institutional improvements needed to assist BWE with improving its management of the irrigation sector. The importance of the IMP resides in the fact that it provides guidance in decision-making; in helping coordinate efforts among donor agencies; and hopefully, attracting additional funds for BWE to implement the proposals of the master plan. Main components of the IMP focus on:

 Detailing the 36 irrigation schemes under BWE’s jurisdiction, including water sources, networks, irrigation canals, crops, as well as water efficiency, etc.

 Calculating the water balance after identifying irrigation demand and supply.

 Establishing a complete investment program, which identified more than $160 million in projects that will help BWE better manage its irrigation services, including $23 million to reduce the water gap by 48 percent by 2040, through increased irrigation efficiency.

All this information has been input into a Geo Database for Irrigation Scheme. In Y5-Q2, LWP prepared all needed material for the on-the-job training on the IMP geodatabase originally planned for March 2020, as a follow-up on the first introductory training session of October 2019. The training was postponed based on BWE’s request and will be delivered as soon as circumstances allow to ensure sustainability of maintaining the system up-to-date.

TASK A.2. IMPROVE BILLING AND COLLECTION This task involves assisting the RWEs in improving their billing and collection rate. LWP first mediated the partnership agreement between SLWE and CashUnited for bill payment services. Approved by the Ministry of Finance, this contract allowed for the expansion of customer points of services, on-line payment, electronic point of sales, and door-to-door bill collection service for SLWE. The signing ceremony was held in Y4 and LWP’s technical assistance continued throughout Y4 to enable the launch of the service. LWP’s knowledge of the SLWE financial and administrative systems proved to be instrumental in assisting with the systems integration. By end of June 2019, SLWE customers started paying their bills at CU’s counters. Replicating this initiative, SLWE has signed a similar agreement, in October 2019, with another money transfer company, OMT, to offer SLWE subscribers a wider network totaling more than 1500 points of sale nationwide where they can pay their bills. LWP supported this SLWE initiative by integrating the OMT system into the ERP system and the Finance Department. With the addition of OMT to existing CashUnited points of sale, the establishment will be sparing its customers commutes to SLWE customer service centers

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during peak traffic hours or waiting in line to pay their dues. This is expected to improve collection rates, reduce overdue bills, improve cash flow, increase collection data reliability and transparency, and facilitate the payment process for customers.

TASK A.3. REDUCE NON-REVENUE WATER LOSSES This task involves assisting the RWEs with decreasing the amount of NRW by providing them with a tool that will help them identify and calculate technical and administrative water losses. To help reduce NRW, LWP is undertaking water demand management (WDM) exercise for the demonstration areas. Started in Y3 for BWE in Haouch El Oumara, LWP, throughout Y4, completed data collection from BWE customer meter readings, engaged in water demand calculations for the Haouch El Oumara area, trained the designated BWE employee on water demand calculations and WDM, and developed general WDM guidelines, with a special annex targeting the Haouch El Oumara area. Based on its analysis, the LWP team determined that NRW for Haouch El Oumara was at 25%.

The WDM exercise is directly dependent on the completion of installation of all meters in the demonstration areas. Therefore, delays in infrastructure works negatively impact the scope of WDM activities as they pertain to the number of meters and villages that will be covered during the remaining period of LWP. With the COVID-19 pandemic, LWP faced additional delays in meter installation in Metn and in Koura as well as difficulty of access to the Jezzine city to correct previous readings. However, LWP was able to overcome these hurdles trough obtaining special clearance to enter into the demonstration areas during the pandemic lockdown. Actual water readings and consumption analysis were done, in selected towns of the demonstration areas as customer meters were installed and water use readings were obtained. As soon as the total governmental lockdown was lifted, LWP resumed its WDM activities at a normal pace. Below is a synopsis of WDM activities conducted in Y5-Q3.

Jezzine Demonstration Area. Meter reading (bulk, district and customer meters) activity was launched in the city of Jezzine and the rest of the villages that are part of the demonstration area. in Y5-Q3, despite the fact that access to the city had been restricted to residents only during the lockdown, and after obtaining clearance from the Head of the Jezzine Municipal Union. Various readings were obtained and collected data is being analyzed as this activity progresses in the area, in coordination with the SLWE Jezzine branch.

Metn Demonstration Area. LWP continued with its meter readings and data analysis activities stated in the previous quarter. So far, readings have covered the village of Dahr Es Saouane, and will be conducted in Beit Chabab, as soon as infrastructure works and data consolidation activities are completed by LWP’s subcontractor. LWP plans to cover the villages of Dahr Es Saouane and Beit Chabab for meter reading and data analysis for the water balance calculations.

Koura Demonstration Area. LWP continued the WDM activities in Koura with additional visits conducted to the village of Deddeh for meter readings, data collection, analysis, and correction. During this whole process, LWP has ensured that NLWE staff is involved and trained on the activity through accompanying the LWP team during its site visits to Deddeh in order to handover the process to NLWE once completed. It is important to note that meters in Deddeh were installed under a prior USAID-funded project and are conventional meters (not smart meters). As such, reading of these meters requires more time and effort than the smart meter drive through because each meter must be inspected and read individually. LWP also plans to conduct the same activities in the village of Batroumine, once infrastructure activities are completed and all meters are properly installed and functioning. So far, three readings were successfully completed in Deddeh.

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Activities carried out under Tasks A.2 and A.7 also support the goal of reducing NRW.

TASK A.4. WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE PLANS IN PLACE AND ENFORCED FOR WATER UTILITIES IN THE SELECTED AREAS OF INTERVENTION This task, which was completed in Y4, involved providing Water Quality Assurance Plans (WQAPs) to the RWEs to improve processes and procedures for enhanced water quality testing. WQAPs for all four RWEs and LRA were completed in Year 4 in collaboration with AUB. LWP also provided hands-on laboratory training to the establishments’ staff at AUB’s core environment laboratory in prior years as part of the WQAP process. LWP provided the establishments with a set of recommendations for future action. At least two establishments have taken tangible measures to improve water testing via outsourcing some of their water tests to certified laboratories (BMLWE and SLWE). Also, based on the WQAPs recommendations, LRA moved forward with seeking funds from LWP and other donors to upgrade its laboratory facility in Y5-Q1. Based on this initiative, LWP launched in Y5-Q3 the Request for Quotation to procure the needed equipment for LRA. Additional information on this activity can be found under Task. A.8.

LWP also completed, during Y4, the WSAs for the RWEs and LRA, in collaboration with AUB. The LWP WSA study is a first in Lebanon and covers the four regions under the jurisdiction of BMLWE, BWE, NLWE, SLWE, and LRA. Pursuant to its collaboration with LWP, the Ministry of Energy and Water used the LWP WSA as guidance to update the new national water sector strategy, especially in implementation and impact monitoring, to help prioritize investments to improve water security. Based on the thorough and scientific outcome of the WSA and the positive appreciation by partners and stakeholders, the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) requested LWP to develop a national WSA. The national WSA contract was signed between LWP and AUB in Y5-Q3 and LWP held a kick-off meeting to coordinate future work and activities on June 17, 2020, Completion of the national WSA is planned for end of Y6-Q1.

Throughout its first four years, LWP worked on enhancing the collaboration between Bekaa municipalities and BWE for water quality/safety testing. Owing to LWP’s efforts, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was drafted and submitted to the BWE for review and was then shared with Bekaa municipalities for increased cooperation through joint quality water testing. LWPs’ efforts succeeded through the approval and signature of 11 municipalities and BWE in Y5-Q3. It must be noted the MOU process was a lengthy one and took over seven months of negotiations to be completed. USAID’s credibility because of LWP and prior projects done in the Bekaa was a critical factor that allowed for this MOU to be accomplished. This MOU has inspired the BWE DG to expand the scope of collaboration and cover additional shared responsibilities between BWE and local authorities, after discussions with LWP. To move forward, LWP has prepared a more expansive MOU, while respecting all legal texts and the mandates of BWE and local authorities. LWP will be facilitating consultations between BWE and local authorities, on a pilot scale. This strategic facilitation comes at times when BWE is facing the most challenging financial crisis since its inception.

TASK A.5. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO IMPROVE HOURS OF SERVICE Human capacity building and institutional development are essential activities to achieve LWP results and ensure sustainability. Improving the capacity of the technical and management personnel is central to LWP efforts to assist the Lebanon water sector.

Meters and Chlorinators Training. LWP completed the training on meters (district and customer), chlorinators, and electrical systems for 13 SLWE staff on June 17, 2020. The training, which started on March 10, was conducted for two out of three days, whereby the last day (March 12) was suspended due to the closure of the SLWE because of the COVID-19 threat and the DG’s

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request to immediately cancel all training activities. The training focused on customer meters with a demonstration on the meter reading software. It was delivered by the supplier at SLWE’s office in Saida. In compliance with COVID-19 protective measures, trainees wore masks and were seated according to the appropriate physical distancing. The trainees showed interest in the material and were engaged in the session.

Arab Countries Water Utilities Association Training (ACWUA). Despite political turmoil, LWP conducted two preparatory/orientation sessions for the planned ACWUA Water Distribution Level 1 training for 30 participating BMLWE staff on February 19, 2020. These sessions, which included a brief description of the training, its purpose, its benefit to the trainees, and its impact on their work and the establishment, are critical to gain the trainees’ buy-in and get their commitment and engagement during the training. The full ACWUA training was launched on February 25, 2020, with 29 attendees distributed in with two full sessions of nine days each. However, and because of the current pandemic crisis and based on the DG’s request, the last two days of the sessions were put on hold on March 11, 2020. LWP asked the trainer, who came from Amman-Jordan, to leave on March 12, 2020 due to the escalating health situation and the planned lockdowns in both Jordan and Lebanon. The remaining two training days for each session and the exam day will resume once the virus threat is cleared and Jordan lifts its travel ban to Lebanon.

TASK A.6. IMPROVE COMMUNAL WATER SERVICE DELIVERY LWP continued during Y4 with infrastructure activities related to its projects outside of demonstration areas (PODAs) in the Bekaa/BWE and Northern Lebanon/NLWE. LWP had previously selected these projects because they will improve water service for vulnerable Lebanese citizens and refugee communities. The PODAs also alleviate tensions between local and refugee communities and strengthen resilience of both.

Assistance to Vulnerable Communities in the Bekaa

 Ghazze. By the end of Year 3, LWP had equipped an existing well, installed solar panels to reduce power costs, built a reservoir, and renovated the existing pumping station. Handover of the project to BWE took place in Y4 and the final acceptance certificate was issued in Y5-Q1.

 Baaloul. LWP installed a water distribution line of about 2.8 km to connect Baaloul households to the network. Handover of the project to BWE took place in Y4 and the final acceptance certificate was issued in Y5-Q1.

 Barr Elias. LWP started construction on the Barr Elias project in May 2019, as agreed to with UNICEF, after modifying its original project. LWP’s modified project consisted of equipping the well LWP originally drilled with a submersible pump and constructing a pipe connecting the well to the intermediate reservoir that UNICEF is building along with a Water Treatment Plant (WTP). The water from the three existing wells (the LWP well and two UNICEF wells) is pumped into this intermediate reservoir where it is treated to provide potable water to part of Barr Elias village. From the intermediate reservoir, the treated water is then pumped to a new 1000 m3 reservoir (under construction by UNICEF). Water is then conveyed to the village via the existing pipeline that was rehabilitated as part of LWP’s scope of work along with the construction of a sector zoning piping system. LWP finished its construction works by end of Y4, established the connection to the power grid and handed the project over to BWE on December 18, 2020.

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Completed, these projects alleviate pressures that vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities in the Bekaa are facing because basic water needs are not met.

Assistance to Vulnerable Communities in North Lebanon

LWP began construction works on two of NLWE’s PODAs in May 2019, after awarding the subcontract in Y4-Q2. Completion of construction is planned for Year 5. Below is a brief description of each NLWE PODA project.

 Bazaoun. This new project replaces the previous El Aayoun canceled project and consists of equipping a well, rehabilitating an existing reservoir and chlorination room, and installing a connection pipeline from well to reservoir. Located in the Caza of Bcharreh, Bazaoun is home to 2500 inhabitants and around 500 Syrian refugees. Other villages in the Caza have received assistance from different funding sources, except for Bazaoun. The village is the only remaining village that has not received any support so far and is currently in need of at least 400 m3 per day as its available resources (small natural springs) are only providing 55 m3. By the same token, Bazaoun has a high number of subscriptions with NLWE (300 in total) and high collection rate that exceeds 85%. By end of March 2020, LWP was reviewing the preliminary design submitted by the selected Design and Construction Quality Control subcontractor, and by June 2020, LWP was working on the final design. Completion of this project is planned for Year 6, Quarter 1.

 Rahbe scope. This project consists of deepening the existing well to 185 meters, equipping it, and constructing a transmission line to transmit the water to an existing reservoir. The reservoir rehabilitation and construction of lift line were completed in September 2019. However, this project is facing some technical delays and completion is expected in Y5-Q4.

 Rachaaine scope. This project consists of installing a pumping station and connecting it to the existing reservoir. The reservoir rehabilitation and construction of the pipeline were completed in September 2019. However, this project is facing some technical delays and completion is expected in Y5-Q4..

TASK A.7. IMPROVE AND EXPAND WATER SERVICES FOR LEBANESE CITIZENS LWP focused on moving forward with its construction activities for the Jezzine, Metn, and Koura Demonstration Areas where a “closing the water loop” approach is being implemented. A summary of the status of works, by end of Y5-Q2, in each of the demonstration areas is presented below:

Jezzine Demonstration Area.

All construction works were completed on March 13, 2020 according to schedule. The contractor also completed 100% of the consultant’s snag list. The handing-over process was started on June 16, 2020 and is scheduled for three weeks.

 Rehabilitation of customer service center (completed).

 Rehabilitation of wells (4 in total, all completed).

 Rehabilitation of springs (3 in total, Ain el Zarqua and Qaitoule completed, Aaziba canceled).

 Rehabilitation of pump stations (2 in total, all completed).

 Construction of water reservoirs (3 in total, all completed).

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 Rehabilitation of water reservoirs (11 in total, all completed).

 Construction of water transmission lines (10 km in total, 8.7 km completed and 1.3 km in Aaziba canceled).

 Construction and/or rehabilitation of water distribution networks (40 km in total, all completed).

 Supply and installation of source and district water meters (65 in total, all completed).

 Supply and installation of chlorination systems (6 in total, all completed, testing and commissioning to follow).

 Installation of customer water meters (3,900 in total, all completed).

 Testing of the physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics of the water in order to ensure the water is and remains drinkable and safe for use (14 water sources tested during the design phase. LWP’s construction subcontractor also tested the Aaziba and Ain el Zarqa springs).

 Ensuring that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operating inside these closed systems are rehabilitated in order to eliminate potential contamination with clean potable water (3 WWTPs in total, 2 completed and 1 canceled).

REHABILITATION OF THE JEZZINE PUMP STATION

PHOTO BY LWP

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Metn Demonstration Area.

After being put on hold during the COVID-19 lockdown, works started again in April 2020 and continued at an acceptable pace in May 2020, and at a normal pace in June 2020. By end of June 2020, the status of construction activities in Metn was as follows:

 Rehabilitation of water reservoirs (10 in total, civil works completed in 8 reservoirs, mechanical works completed in 7 reservoirs).

 Supply and installation of source and district water meters (77 in total. Installation of 52 source meters completed. Installation of 18 district meters completed.)

 Supply and installation of chlorination systems (2 in total, works not started yet).

 Installation of customer water meters (32,000 in total, 16,250 installed).

 Testing of the physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics of the water in order to ensure the water is and remains drinkable and safe for use (10 water sources, all tested during the design phase).

Completion is planned by the end of 2020.

THE AIN AALAK RESERVOIR REHABILITATED

PHOTO BY LWP

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Koura Demonstration Area.

LWP’s subcontractor started construction works at the beginning of Year 4, Quarter 3. Despite delays because of plot delimitation issues, LWP and the Mayor of Qalhat were able to resolve the issues, which allowed LWP’s construction subcontractor to resume construction activities on the proposed Qalhat reservoir. In addition, in Y5-Q1, LWP decided to undertake the rehabilitation of the Jradeh-Fiaa pumping line, which is the water main line feeding the Koura demonstration area. In Y5-Q2, LWP’s consultant started the preliminary design, planned for completion in Y5-Q4. The works and progress for the Koura area to rehabilitate/build a complete cycle for water production and water distribution for NLWE are summarized below:

 Rehabilitation of wells and the Jradeh pumping station: (1 in total, plastering and painting works are ongoing).

 Construction of a water reservoir (1 in total, steel work ongoing for columns of last level).

 Construction of a water distribution network (7.6 km in total, 7.52 km completed, the remaining 80 Lm of pipes belong to the reservoirs tie-in, valve chambers construction completed).

 Supply and installation of source and district water meters (25 in total, civil works for all valve chambers completed, 16 district meters installed).

 Supply and installation of chlorination systems (1 in total, works not started yet).

 Installation of customer water meters (1,150 in total, 550 installed).

 Testing of the physical, chemical, and bacteriological characteristics of the water in order to ensure the water is and remains drinkable and safe for use (1 test for the Jradeh pumping station, 1 for the Fiaa reservoir and 1 for the Qalhat reservoir. All tests completed during the design phase).

Completion is planned before the end of the calendar year because of the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TASK A.8. IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN SELECTED AREAS The Irrigation Rapid Assessment Report (RAR) that LWP developed in Year 1 identified crops of Canal 900, calculated current irrigation usage and requirements in farmlands served by Canal 900, established baselines for measuring improvements in irrigation efficiency, and identified potential areas for intervention under LWP. However, LWP has not been able to take actions outlined in the RAR because local communities of the Litani River Basin shut down Canal 900 due to concerns about water quality and safety. LWP does not expect LRA to re-open Canal 900 for irrigation in the near future, and therefore will not proceed with activities identified in the RAR under Task A.8. However, and as part of its assistance to LRA, LWP is implementing selected improvements for LRA’s constructed wetland in Kherbet Qanafar. Rehabilitation works began in Y4-Q4, and in Y5-Q1, LWP completed all construction works, including earth works and works on the inlet structure. In Y5-Q2, LWP procured needed pumps and other mechanical equipment to finish rehabilitation before works were put on hold because of the health crisis. By end of Y5-Q2 and because of the COVID-19 lockdown, LWP engaged in talk with relevant municipalities and obtained approval to access to the site to continue works, and resumed its rehabilitation activities in Y5-Q3. LWP finished the actual rehabilitation works by end of June 2020, with handing over and final completion planned for Y5-Q4. In another effort to assist LRA, and based on the recommendations of the WQAPs

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previously completed for LRA (Task A.4), LWP decided, in Y5-Q2, to procure much needed laboratory equipment that would allow LRA to improve its water quality testing for both wastewater and domestic water and completed the list of technical specifications. LWP launched the actual procurement process for the laboratory equipment in Y5-Q3, with planned award in Y5-Q4.

TASK A.9. SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTEXT APPROPRIATE MODELS FOR SANITATION SERVICE AND SEWAGE MANAGEMENT Status. After conducting a field assessment and identifying sites for low-cost sanitation projects, carrying out a feasibility study, completing the design of the facilities, and engaging a quality control subcontractor in years 1-4, LWP identified and signed a construction subcontract for all but one of the sanitation projects in the third quarter of Year 4. Six sites are outside the LWP demonstration areas and three are in the Jezzine demonstration area and part of the Jezzine infrastructure works. These sanitation projects will provide improved wastewater services to the RWEs and will assist with improving sanitation services in their areas. Their status is as follows at the end of Y5-Q3:

1. Roum’s Constructed Wetland (SLWE): This constructed wetland is part of LWP’s low-cost wastewater (WW) treatment interventions. The existing wastewater network is discharging into the valley with no treatment. As a treatment solution, this CW will remove pollution and create potential reuse of the effluent. The estimated current number of people served is 1,500. In Y5- Q2, LWP selected its construction subcontractor after launching the request for proposal for the wetland construction and evaluating all proposals by end of Y5-Q1. In Y5-Q3, with LWP’s help, the Roum municipality launched the project on its Facebook page and is awaiting to issue the notice to proceed to start actual construction. Completion of the CW is planned for Y6-Q1.

2. Joubb Jannine’s Network Installation (BWE): This project is part of LWP’s contribution to protect and conserve the Litani River under the Charter for the Protection of the Litani River. LWP is extending the WW network in Joubb Jannine (about 3,000 m) as part of the Joubb Jannine network is already connected to the Joubb Jannine WWTP. LWP launched infrastructure works in July 2019. Construction works were finalized by end of June 2020, with handing over and final completion planned for Y5-Q4.

3. Kherbet Qanafar’s Network Installation (BWE/LRA): This project is part of LWP’s contribution to protect and conserve the Litani under the Charter for the Protection of the Litani River. LWP is extending the WW network of Kherbet Qanafar in three areas and rehabilitating the main collector of the village that discharges into the Joubb Jannine WWTP. The 2,500m extension to the collection network will reduce domestic wastewater contamination. The Kherbet Qanafar wastewater network will be channeled to the existing Joubb Jannine WWTP. LWP started infrastructure rehabilitation works in July 2019. Construction works were finalized by end of

June 2020, with handing over and final completion planned for Y5-Q4.

4. Jbaa’s Wastewater Treatment Plan Rehabilitation (BMLWE): This project is part of LWP’s WWT interventions, as explained in the previously submitted “Assessment of Small Wastewater Treatment Plants in Lebanon – Summary” report. LWP started infrastructure rehabilitation works in July 2019. Construction works were finalized by end of June 2020, with handing over and final completion planned for Y5-Q4.

5. El Moukhtara/Boutme’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (BMLWE): This project is part of LWP’s WWT interventions, as explained in the “Assessment of Small Wastewater Treatment Plants in Lebanon – Summary” report. LWP started infrastructure rehabilitation works in July 2019. LWP completed all needed concrete works and metal and electro-mechanical works

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protection. Construction works were finalized by end of June 2020, with handing over and final completion planned for Y5-Q4.

6. Mrousti Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (BMLWE): This project is part of LWP’s WWT interventions, as explained in the “Assessment of Small Wastewater Treatment Plants in Lebanon – Summary” report. LWP started infrastructure rehabilitation works in July 2019. During Y5-Q1, LWP completed all needed concrete works and metal and electro-mechanical works and paint and finishing works. In Y5-Q2, LWP supplied electro-mechanical equipment. Construction works were finalized by end of June 20202, with handing over and final completion planned for Y5-Q4.

7. Bteddine El Laqch’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (SLWE): This project is part of the Jezzine demonstration area works, completed in Year 4, quarter 3. SLWE ‘s requested additional works were completed in Y5-Q2.

8. Sniye’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (SLWE): This project is part of the Jezzine demonstration area works. By end of Y4, the project was put on hold because of difficult site access. The site was assessed again in Y5-Q1 and was canceled because of obstructed site access.

9. Haitoura’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation (SLWE): This project is part of the Jezzine demonstration area works. Rehabilitation works of the WWTP were completed in Y5-Q2.

Works on the various projects had resumed following a winter shutdown, however, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, LWP’s contractors faced delays. To remedy the situation, LWP worked closely with local authorities to avoid complete stoppage and facilitate progress at a slower pace, in line with government imposed measures. LWP continued moving forward with implementing construction works for all selected sanitation projects. These projects will be handed over to the relevant RWE with improved wastewater treatment and reduced pollution entering surface waters, underground water or irrigation networks in targeted communities and municipalities.

TASK A.10. IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION/PROTECTION The first water conservation initiative to yield tangible results is the LWP Chabrouh Dam project. In Year 2, LWP supported BMLWE with the financing, technical design, and roll-out of drip irrigation systems in farmland located in the village of Faraiya and the Chabrouh dam area. This project was implemented as a model for effective cooperation between LWP and BMLWE to reduce amounts of water wasted through furlough irrigation and increase water availability for BMLWE. By the end of Year 3, LWP completed installation of drip irrigation systems for the first batch of lands and farmers, and trained farmers on appropriate maintenance for the newly installed systems to protect them during the cold season. In Year 4, LWP worked with BMLWE to complete the main lines infrastructure for the Faraiya village and install sand filters for the second batch of irrigated lands and farmers, bringing the total of farmers supported to 67 and the area covered to 192,932 square meters. Before the completion of the Chabrouh project, the estimated amount of water used for irrigation in the Chabrouh agricultural area was around 1.5 million cubic meter (MCM) per year. With the use of new irrigation techniques and the installation of a new pressurized system, LWP was able to save almost 0.3 MCM (297,625 CM) that were originally wasted through traditional irrigation. By the end of Year 4, LWP received requests from at least ten new farmers for support to switch to drip irrigation and assisted BMLWE with installing the BMLWE newly purchased irrigation systems, before putting its activities on hold as winter set in. In Y5-Q3, and with the exacerbation of

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the financial crisis, BMLWE witnessed a rise in irrigation practices and requested LWP’s assistance with designing new on-farm drip irrigation in Chabrouh as new farmers were subscribing for assistance with drip irrigation. Accordingly, two new on-farm irrigation systems were installed by the end of June 2020 with another two systems under design and planned for completion in Y5-Q4.

TASK A.11: DECREASE OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR RWES This new task was added through LWP task order modification 8 of May 26, 2020. It is in direct response to the financial and political crisis that has gripped Lebanon since October 2019. The crisis has caused many water customers to stop paying their bills and the RWEs’ revenues have declined sharply. Facing the challenge of having to continue providing water and wastewater services with significantly reduced revenues and resources, the RWEs need immediate assistance in providing water and helping to prevent further instability as Lebanese citizens are already criticizing the poor provision of government services. LWP will assist the RWEs and LRA in lowering operational costs, thereby offsetting revenue shortfalls.

LWP assistance will focus on decreasing O&M costs through installation of alternative energy sources and high-efficiency pumps, providing critical spare parts to reduce equipment down time, and engage in other activities including, but not limited to, rehabilitating and upgrading RWE/LRA facilities. This task will be strongly reinforced by Task A.1 efforts to strengthen internal systems, operations, and governance of the RWEs and LRA, which will further enhance efficiency and lower operational costs.

LWP will improve the O&M efficiency of at least 15 water/wastewater facilities/systems through these activities, identified as Projects Decreasing Operational Cost (PDOCs). Of the 15 PDOCs, at least ten will be water facilities/systems while the rest may be water or wastewater facilities/systems. The activities will decrease O&M costs of targeted facilities, focusing on offsetting electricity needs, as electricity is a key cost driver of O&M costs.

By end of June 2020, LWP had identified 37 potential sites after consultations with the RWES. Based on the targets of modification 8 to LWP’s contract, and to meet the targets set by this modification, LWP reduced its original selection to 17 projects, choosing the most impactful ones. These projects are spread across all four RWEs and LRA. Next steps for LWP include launching the Design and Construction Quality Control process and actual construction activities. Based on the thorough assessment performed during the Design phase, some projects may not move forward, if implementation proves to be not feasible or not suitable for intended works. This task is planned for completion in Y6-Q2.

For detailed information related to all activities under the tasks of Result A, please refer to the table below.

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RESULT A TABLE: ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

A.1. STRENGTHEN RWE AND LRA PLANNING AND INTERNAL OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

A.1.1. Strengthen Business Master Planning

1 A.1.1 Each RWE will have updated Completed in Y3-Q1. their business plan

2 A.1.1 LRA will have prepared its first Cancelled and business plan. replaced with Deliverable 129 NOT USED

3 A.1.1 All RWEs will have a water X The water demand COVID-19 Complete demand management plan in management model restrictions that installation of the demonstration areas for Haouch El Oumara limit movement of meters in completed. In Jezzine contractors and selected zone of Metn and Koura, LWP LWP staff. demonstration is collecting baseline areas. data to start its water

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

demand management Complete the model and water demand calculations. management plan for Jezzine, Metn, and Koura based on a revised plan discussed with USAID.

4 A.1.1 LRA will have completed water Completed with “The Sustainability of Training quantity monitoring plan for all Assessment of River geodatabase. conducted to rivers in Lebanon including the Gauging Stations in ensure use and Upper Litani River Basin Lebanon” report in sustainability. Y2-Q4. GIS “on-the- job” training also completed in Y3-Q1.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

5 A.1.1 BWE will have completed X Completed in Y5-Q1. Training to BWE irrigation master plan. staff on managing and maintaining the geodatabase system created.

6 A.1.1 Review water and wastewater Completed in Y3-Q4. master plans for consistency with business plans

7.a A.1.1 Annual business plans Completed in Y3-Q2. performance monitored and validated for each RWE in Year 2

127 A.1.1 Prepare Risk Management Plan Completed in Y4-Q3. for NLWE and SLWE.

128 A.1.1 Prepare Risk management Plan Completed at BWE in for BWE, BMLWE, or LRA Y4-Q2 and at LRA in Y4-Q4.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

7.d A.1.1 Annual business plans updated X On-going. Getting Working closely for each RWE in Y5 cooperation and with the RWEs feedback from and showing RWEs. them the importance of this tool.

A.1.2. Fully Implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Costing and Operational Analyses

8.a A.1.2 Initiate implementation of ERP Completed in Y3-Q1. with NLWE

8.b A.1.2 Complete installation of the Completed in Y4-Q3. ERP suite in the NLWE

9 A.1.2 Complete installation of ERP Completed in Y3-Q3. suite and costing and operational analysis in the BMLWE, SLWE, and BWE

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

10 A.1.2 Train 50 RWE and LRA staff in Completed in Y2. Additional ERP use. trainings will be provided to BWE and NLWE in Y5.

11 A.1.2 Continue refinements in the Completed in Y3-Q4. use of ERP tools and systems

129 A.1.2 Provide assessment of LRA IT Completed in Y4-Q3. infrastructure and operation standards

130 A.1.2 RWE ERP/IT service and X Ongoing with ERP Financial difficulties - Internal staff maintenance team established support at various of RWEs to self- trained on RWEs. finance support. ERP. - Coordinating with UNICEF to take-over support after LWP.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

12 A.1.2 Deliver a governance X Completed in Y5-Q1. framework for the NLWE and SLWE to improve their operation and create better control environment

A.1.3. Strengthen Assets Valuation and Management

13 A.1.3 Develop standardized Assets Completed in Y2. Management Manual

14.a A.1.3 Conduct assets valuation for Completed in Y3-Q3. the SLWE and NLWE and train staff on maintaining and updating assets in the ERP

14.b A.1.3. Integrate assets valuation into Completed in Y3-Q4. ERP in the SLWE and NLWE

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

15 A.1.3 Integrate assets valuation into Completed in Y3-Q4. ERP in the BMLWE and BWE

16.a A.1.3 All RWEs will conduct annual Completed in Y3-Q4. updates of assets valuation

16.b A.1.3 All RWEs will conduct annual X Completed in Y5-Q1. updates of assets valuation

16.c A.1.3 All RWEs will conduct annual X Submitted to USAID updates of assets valuation for approval in Y5-Q3.

17 A.1.3 Train RWE staff in updating Completed in Y2. assets valuations

A.1.4. Improve RWE Internal Performance and Financial Audit

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

18.a A.1.4 Update financial and Completed in Y2. performance audit manuals for NLWE and SLWE

18.b A.1.4 Update financial and X Completed for performance audit manuals for BMLWE. Planned for BMLWE and BWE BWE in Y5.

19 A.1.4 Provide training to NLWE and Completed in Y2. SLWE and board members in understanding and using audit reports to improve organizational performance

20 A.1.4 Begin to develop a financial X Submitted to USAID model for the LRA for approval in Y5-Q3.

21.a A.1.4 Financial and performance Completed in Y3-Q4. audits will be completed for the utilities that have the staff in place

21.b A.1.4 Financial and performance X Completed in Y5-Q1. audits will be completed for the

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

utilities that have the staff in place

21.c A.1.4 Financial and performance X Possible delays audits will be completed for the because of the utilities that have the staff in COVID-19 crisis place

125 Revise the SLWE organizational Completed in Y3-Q2. structure to reflect current needs

A.1.5. Strengthen RWE and LRA Use of GIS for Assets Management and Operations

22 A.1.5 GIS systems for three of four Completed in Y1. RWEs will be reviewed

23 A.1.5 Plans will be developed to Completed in Y1. strengthen GIS capacity and

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

systems for three of the four RWEs

24 A.1.5 Improved use of GIS (on-the- Completed in Y3-Q2. job training) to maintain information on piped networks and equipment, and customers

25 A.1.5 Mapping demonstration areas X of the intervention following the area assessments

A.2. IMPROVE BILLING AND COLLECTION

26 A.2.1 Initiate updated customer Completed in Y2. Actual update of registers in three of the four customer RWEs demonstration areas registers will be finalized once meter installations are completed. Completion is planned for Y5.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

27 A.2.2 Develop communication Completed in Y2. Implement strategy to improve customer communication awareness and increase campaigns in collections in demonstration RWEs, according areas to strategy.

28 A.2.3 Initiate at least one partnership Completed in Y1. with a bank or financial institution to improve collection efficiency

29 A.2.4 NOT USED

30 A.2.5 Complete customer register X updates in the three demonstration areas

126 A.2 Procure and train BWE, Completed in Y3-Q3. NLWE, and SLWE staff on the use of handheld bill collection devices

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

A.3. REDUCE NON-REVENUE WATER LOSSES

31 A.3.1 Launch two projects to install Completed in Y2. Construction on production and/or district going. meters for the RWEs

32 A.3.2 Complete production and X On-going. COVID-19 Jezzine district metering for the RWE Source/district meters pandemic: delays construction demonstration areas and chlorinators in importing completed in Y5- installed at BWE’s meters and works Q2, awaiting Haouch El Oumara, are on hold handing over to and at SLWE’s Jezzine. because of SLWE. On-going for other lockdown. Complete demonstration areas. installation of meters in Metn, and Koura demonstration areas.

33 A.3.3 Train at least 60 RWE staff in X Training dates meter reading and maintenance will be set as construction progresses in

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

demonstration areas.

A.4. WATER QUALITY ASSURANCE PLANS (WQAPs) IN PLACE AND ENFORCED FOR WATER UTILITIES IN THE SELECTED AREAS OF INTERVENTION

34 A.4.1-1 Support development of draft X Completed in Y5-Q1. Availability of data WQAPs for four RWEs and resources to carry-out the works.

35 A.4.1-2 Train RWE staff in preparation X Completed in Y5-Q1. of WQAPs and water safety analysis

36 A.4.1 NOT USED

37 A.4.1-3 Support two partnerships X Draft MOU Delays in signature between RWEs and municipal partnership agreement because of governments in water signed by 11 West COVID-19. Bekaa municipalities in

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

quality/safety testing and Y5-Q2 and also signed analysis by BWE.

38 A.4.1-4 NOT USED

39 A.4.1-5 Assist one RWE to design and X Completed in Y5-Q1. SLWE and AUB implement a service contract to to sign contract carry out water quality and once SLWE safety analysis installs all sampling points.

40 A.4.1-6 Assist the RWEs in preparing X On-going. Constant COVID-19 LWP has public messages/information on follow-up with RWEs pandemic has adapted its water quality in their networks to adapt created a challenge activities to communication to identify the accommodate activities and messages right circumstances to the current communication imposed by the circumstances. messages. financial and health crisis.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

41 A.4.1-1c Four RWEs will have WQAPs X Completed in Y5-Q2. Data availability. in place

42 A.4.1.7 Six partnerships between X This deliverable is Submit to RWEs and municipal linked to Deliverable USAID in Y5-Q4 governments to conduct joint 37. Final version of for approval. water quality and safety analysis MOU agreed to and signed by 11 West Bekaa Municipalities and BWE.

A.4.2. Strengthen the Capacity of RWEs and LRA in Water Security Analysis and Planning

43 A.4.2.1 Develop terms of reference Completed in Y1. (TORs) for carrying out water security analyses

44 A.4.2.2 Enlist local universities to Completed in Y1. support water security analyses

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

45 A.4.2.3-a Launch at least one water Completed in Y2. security analysis

46 A.4.2.3-b Complete water security X Submitted to USAID Availability of data. AUB has analyses for all five water for approval in Y4-Q4 launched its utilities but retrieved after the work under the MoEW requested national WSA. LWP’s assistance with a national WSA.

47 A.4.2.4 Produce communications X Completed in Y5-Q3. message and short videos on the water security analyses

A.5. TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO IMPROVE HOURS OF SERVICE

48 A.5.1 Water operator's certification Completed in Y2. program is designed in partnership with ACWUA and RWEs

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

49 A.5.2 Complete ERP and technical Completed in Y2. training needs assessment for RWEs and the LRA

50 A.5.3 Water operator's certification X Canceled. MoEW is Removed from program is fully operational implementing deliverables as similar program. part of contract NOT USED Risk of duplication modification. of effort.

51 A.5.4 Develop training materials and X Submitted to USAID More sessions train RWE staff in pump O&M for approval in Y4-Q4 will be and completed in Y5- conducted in Y5. Q1.

52 A.5.5 NOT USED

53 A.5.6 Provide capacity building X Completed in Y3. Certified training training based on the training planned to

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

needs assessments for up to continue in Y4 100 RWE staff. and beyond.

A.6. IMPROVE COMMUNAL WATER SERVICE DELIVERY

54 A.6.1 Complete needs assessments Completed in Y2. with selected International Non-Governmental Organizations, RWEs, and municipalities

55 A.6.2-a Project designs are in process Completed in Y2. for at least two projects

56 A.6.2-b Complete at least six projects X Completion of COVID-19 - Finishing the that improves communal water construction for all pandemic limiting design of the service delivery in affected projects of Bekaa. movements of Bazaoun project municipalities/communities contractors. and awarding it for construction.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Construction for - Continue NLWE PODAs construction started in Y4-Q3. works in Rahbe and Rachaaine.

A.7. IMPROVE AND EXPAND WATER SERVICES FOR LEBANESE CITIZENS

57 A.7.1 Expression of Interest issued Completed in Y1. and contracts established with engineering firms to provide engineering studies, designs, and construction quality control/assurance

58 A.7.2 Demonstration areas in four Completed in Y2. RWEs defined and assessments completed to identify the work needed.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

59 A.7.3 Infrastructure upgrade projects Completed in Y2. outside the demonstration areas identified

61 A.7.5 Budgets developed for the Completed in Y4-Q1. demonstration areas in each RWE to finalize the work that will be performed by LWP based on the project budget

62 A.7.6-a Projects designed and contracts Completed in Y4-Q2. awarded for construction in All construction demonstration areas subcontracts awarded.

63 A.7.6-b Infrastructure projects X completed in demonstration areas

A.8. IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN SELECTED AREAS

64 A.8.1 Complete Rapid Assessment Completed in Y1.

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

65.a A.8.2 Identify areas and define Completed in Y1. baselines

65.b A.8.2 Implement selected X Works under the COVID-19 - Procurement improvements for LRA facilities subcontract for pandemic of equipment rehabilitation of LRA restricted planned for wetland are finished. movement of Y5-Q3. Procurement process contractors and for laboratory import od material - Supply and equipment launched. and equipment. install equipment in Y5-Q4.

- Handing- over.

66 A.8.3 Negotiate partnerships with Completed in Y2. irrigation equipment suppliers

67 A.8 NOT USED

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

68 A.8 NOT USED

A.9. SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONTEXT-APPROPRIATE MODELS FOR SANITATION SERVICE AND SEWAGE MANAGEMENT

70 A.9.1 Develop and publish case Completed in Y3-Q1. studies The Assessment of Small Wastewater Treatment Plants in Lebanon: Case Study” Report approved by USAID.

71 A.9.2 Identify at least two potential Completed in Y3-Q1. sites for low-cost sewage/septage collection/treatment in each region

72 A.9.3 Hold initial consultations with Completed in Y3-Q1. MoEW, RWEs, and local

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

communities on site selection and design

73 A.9.4-a Project designs completed and Completed in Y4-Q3. Few delays faced - Implement approved, and construction and Construction because of public CW subcontracts issued. Quality Control consent on WW - Handing- subcontract awarded networks and over of and final design COVID-19. completed completed for sites. rehabilitation projects. Works in Bekaa and Chouf started. CWs design is finalized and construction subcontract awarded.

60 A.9 Feasibility study completed for X Completed in Y5-Q2. the design and construction of a wetlands area for wastewater/river water treatment

74 A.9 NOT USED

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

75 A.9 NOT USED

76 A.9.4-d At least six sustainable X - Works on 9 COVID-19 Implementation sanitation models completed projects have of Roum CW. been completed. - Roum CW launched. A.10. IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION/PROTECTION IN THE LITANI BASIN

77 A.10.1 Update baseline information on Completed in Y3-Q3. water quality in the Upper Litani Basin

78 A.10.2-a Organize at least four multi- Completed in Y2. stakeholder discussions about water threats and risks to water resources

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

79 A.10.3-a Initial plan will be underway for Completed in Y3-Q2. LWP will actions to improve water continue resources protection and working with conservation municipal unions to support implementation of selected action plans.

80 A.10 NOT USED

81 A.10 NOT USED

82 A.10.3-c At least two water resources X Completed in Y5-Q2. Identifying good conservation and protection The first project, the whey treatment initiatives will be yielding Chabrouh dam solutions to meet tangible and measureable irrigation project. ELVs. results The second initiative is the water conservation project with stone-cutting industries in the Bekaa

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

completed under WELI.

The third initiative, the whey treatment of the dairy industries, was completed in December 2019.

A.11. Decrease Operational Costs for RWEs

131 A.11 List of facilities targeted for X The list of projects Submit the reducing operational costs of has been developed deliverable to RWEs including baseline cost and submitted to USAID for data USAID approval and completion.

Award/initiate at least 15 X - Time - Set short PDOCs constraints deadlines for - Country design. situation. - Move forward with procurement process for

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RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY OF RWES & LRA

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

needed equipment.

At least 15 separate facilities, X - Time referred to as Projects constraints Decreasing Operational Costs - Country (PDOCs), will be completed situation with 25% reduction in operational costs

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RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT AND ADVANCE CITIZEN PERCEPTION OF THE WATER UTILITIES ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY AND VALUABLE SERVICE TASK B 1. IMPROVE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WITH SERVICES PROVIDED BY PUBLIC WATER UTILITIES LWP’s communication activities during Y5-Q3 were relentless despite both the financial crisis that began in the fall of 2019 and the COVID-19virus health crisis. In fact, LWP re-evaluated the whole situation, worked on a new strategy following the health crisis and the global state of affairs, and implemented changes in messaging and tools, as it moved many activities to the virtual sphere, after conducting many virtual meetings with beneficiaries and partners. Below is a summary of LWP’s exerted effort during this past quarter:

 LWP completed the production of the videos on the results of the WSA that focus on the main risks threatening water security across and show the main challenges in water security across all regions of Lebanon. LWP disseminated the three 2D animation videos on water security, boosted them on its Facebook page in coordination with USAID Lebanon, who also started disseminating some of them. The videos garnered a reach of 213,608 in total. In addition, the LWP communication team began talks with two major movie theater circuits to discuss the possibility of disseminating the 2D videos as well as other awareness videos in movie theaters for free. The initial response was very positive, and discussions were about to be finalized for a tentative dissemination date in June 2020, but this initiative was put on hold because of the health crisis and imposed social distancing requirements.

 Throughout Y5-Q3, LWP continued readjusting its planned summer campaigns on water conservation for BMLWE, NLWE, and SLWE, to harmonize messaging not only with the political and financial crisis in Lebanon, but also with the COVID-19 crisis. Key visuals and messaging content were discussed and launch of the campaigns is scheduled for the beginning of July, with a month long campaign planned or BMLWE and NLWE, and a two-week campaign for SLWE.

 LWP continued its constant support to the RWEs as much as possible during these trying times through following-up and checking if anything is needed from the LWP communication team in terms of posts, boosts, etc. Along these lines and to promote measures taken by NLWE and SLWE during Y5-Q3, both establishments started, with LWP’s assistance, their Facebook campaigns on maintenance, water quality, and hotlines availability. By end of June 2020, LWP had boosted more than 21 Facebook posts for SLWE and the first batch of posts for NLWE. LWP plans to continue this assistance as long as NLWE and SLWE need it.

 To assist all RWES, especially BWE and BMLWE, with increased demand on water because of the rise in agriculture estimated at about 20%, LWP considered preparing an awareness initiative to reduce water consumption in irrigation, based on LWP’s proven experience this field. This initiative is planned to target a wide audience of farmers, cooperatives, agricultural equipment and material traders. In this respect, LWP reached out in this quarter to the directorate of cooperatives at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute “LARI”, and CCIAZ for cooperation on the matter. All parties involved in this effort have agreed to disseminate LWP created communication messages through their existing networks to farmers and cooperatives members of CCIAZ for a more substantive impact to promote water conservation in agriculture.

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 By the end of Y5-Q3, the total followers on LWP’s Facebook page reached more than 4,332 followers, a 3.64 percent increase over the last quarter. The monthly average reach of posts is 78,771; this number includes the number of unique users who had any of LWP’s posts enter their newsfeed, including statuses, photos, links, and videos. The monthly average for organic (not paid) video views during this period was 47,534.

 As part of the Jezzine Demonstration Area construction works, LWP completed the renovation of SLWE’s customer service center in Jezzine and started the handover process by mid-June 2020. Also, and in an effort to promote the image of RWEs through showcasing the services they offer and their accomplishments, LWP will be providing some RWEs with brand new TV screens to be displayed at selected customer service centers. This activity is planned for Y5 as soon as circumstances allow for it. TASK B.2. REDUCE NONPRODUCTIVE (WASTEFUL) USES OF WATER IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS IN THE SELECTED AREAS OF INTERVENTION In Year 4, LWP mainly followed-up with farmers and industries who benefitted from the LWP incentive rebate program for efficient irrigation practices and for water conservation to ensure that installed irrigation equipment and industrial water recycling equipment is still being used. Through the incentive-rebate grants program, and in collaboration with ALI and private sector suppliers of agricultural equipment LWP raised awareness about the importance of conserving water in agriculture and industries and introduced new water-saving technology in both irrigation and stone cutting industries. By end of Year 4, to ensure sustainability a year after implementation, LWP visited farmers and industries who had qualified under the incentive rebate program. Through these visits, LWP verified that farmers who had purchased and installed the water-saving irrigation equipment were still committed to using it, while the nine industries who had installed water recycling/conservation equipment were also fully engaged and committed to it. In Y5-Q1, LWP focused on drafting the report providing an overview of the activities conducted with farmers and industries as well as results, perceptions, and impact. USAID has approved this activity as completed in Y5-Q2.

TASK B.3. INCREASE CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN IMPROVING WATER USE BEHAVIOR FOR ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION LWP grants continued engaging not only farmers as stated under Task B.2, but also non- governmental organizations and civil society organizations (CSOs). The status of active grants in Y5- Q3 is as follows:

 LebRelief Council (LRC): LRC resumed mobilizing communities at the municipal level in the Koura demonstration area as infrastructure works began, in coordination with the neighborhood committees they had created. As construction works were advancing in Koura in Y5-Q2, LRC started again, on February 28, its Koura activities with a first round of household visits. Similar visits were planned to take place to capture the community’s concerns and requests as well as to highlight the project scope and the responsibilities and roles of both the community and NLWE in managing and conserving water. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the governmental lockdown and social distancing measures, LRC stopped its household visits in Y5-Q2 and, in agreement with LWP, switched its activities to virtual options for raising awareness, after consulting with the Koura community and getting its buy-in on it in Y5-Q3. Virtual adaptation is expected to start at the beginning of July 2020.

 USJ Chaire de L’Education a L’ Eco-citoyennete et au Developpement Durable (CEEDD): LWP awarded this grant to CEEDD for implementing CEEDD’s project “Sustainable

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Education and Awareness for Water Management in Metn-SEAWMM”. Under this project, CEEDD planned to:

- Raise awareness among youth and adults (students and their teachers) about sustainable water use and management, and awaken their eco-citizen spirit through awareness sessions, trainings and conceptual change approaches, to reduce water consumption within schools and households in the Metn district.

- Bring Metn citizens closer to BMLWE and strengthen communication between citizens and water operators to guarantee that all water complaints would be addressed and resolved according to regulations, via town hall meetings.

Because of the success of CEEDD’s activities throughout the implementation of this project, LWP and CEEDD agreed to modify interventions using a virtual approach through social media platforms, materials and tools. This modification will allow CEEDD to resume its activities in Metn in Y5-Q4.

In Year 4, LWP, with its partnership with CEEDD, conducted a teacher training for seven schools, 402 teachers, and more than 1,500 beneficiaries. Then, LWP, after completing its CEEDD formal teacher training in Y4, focused in Y5-Q1 on its teacher coaching program and parent awareness sessions in Metn schools. The coaching sessions were met with great success from parents and teachers alike as they prepared them to engage with children and teenagers on water topics and interdisciplinary projects integrating various learning subjects such as math, science, civic duties and others. CEEDD continued this activity in Y5-Q2, and reached 30 teachers who are responsible for engaging nearly 575 students. Also, in Y5-Q2, LWP received the results of the pre-tests and post- tests CEEDD had administered during the teachers and student trainings it had conducted in previous quarters. According to the pre- and post-tests of eight out of the 13 schools, 90 percent of teachers said that they had acquired new skills after the training, while 97 percent said that they will use these skills in future teaching sessions. Also, the tests showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge of water conservation among students in three schools. Meanwhile, increase in knowledge of water management among students was statistically significant in six schools. These results can be considered as proof that the approach and intervention were impactful, and the training sessions should be replicated in more schools. With the COVID-19 pandemic, and in order not to stop its valuable outreach, CEEDD decided to adjust its activities in the Metn, as LRC had done in Koura, and worked on these adjustments throughout Y5-Q3.

 The Jezzine Foundation for Culture and Heritage: The Jezzine Foundation is LWP’s last active grantee and its project focuses on “Water Awareness Through Education and Responsibilization- WATER”. The Foundation plans to:

- Raise awareness among the local communities and national authorities about sustainable use and management of natural water resources and awaken their eco-citizen spirit to reduce water consumption within schools and households in the Jezzine region.

- Establish a sustainable network and strengthen the communication between the local community stakeholders involved in the management of water problems and resources. the Foundation continued working with schools through mentoring of coaches to support teaches in designing projects with students throughout the current school year. With CEEDD’s assistance during this quarter, the Foundation reached, through its coaching sessions, 29 parents and 66 teachers who are responsible for engaging nearly 176 students. This activity accompanied LWP

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infrastructure works as they progressed in the Jezzine demonstration area in Y5. The Contract of the Jezzine Foundation ended in June 2020.

In addition to the grants portfolio, LWP finalized its student research project with two universities (Université St. Joseph and Notre Dame University) in Y5-Q3 and is awaiting USAID’s approval in order to complete this project. The student research program was launched in June 2018 (Year 3) and was extended to Y5-Q2 to allow all the students to complete their research and submit their theses. Twelve students, divided into eight groups with eight research papers, engaged in research focused on water challenges to capture the social, economic, and cultural aspects, and impacts of water. Six teams were from Notre Dame University (NDU) and two teams from Université Saint Joseph (USJ) with research projects that focus on water. At the beginning of December 2019, LWP continued its working sessions with research students to get updates on their progress and provide needed guidance. As some students submitted their final drafts to LWP for revision in Y5-Q1, the rest of students (granted contract extensions) completed their papers and submitted them to LWP in Y5-Q2, after being guided by the LWP team throughout the process.

With this initiative, LWP will have engaged all segments of society after conducting farmers’ field days and securing cooperation with the private sector, the commitments of municipalities, and collaboration with media organizations, while spreading awareness among school children and at the household level.

For detailed information related to all activities under the tasks of Result B, please refer to the table below.

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RESULT B TABLE: ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT & ADVANCE CITIZENS PERCEPTIONS OF RWES AND LRA ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY & VALUABLE SERVICE

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

B.1. IMPROVE CUSTMER SATISFACTION WITH SERVICES PROVIDED

86 B.1.1 Complete baseline customer Completed in Y1. satisfaction surveys for all four RWEs

87 B.1.2 Develop communication strategy Completed in Y3- and key messages for at least two Q1. RWEs

88 B.1.3 Train at least 60 RWE staff in Completed in Y2. communication messages and customer relations

89 B.1.4-a Create/upgrade at least two Completed in Y3- RWEs /MoEW websites Q2.

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RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT & ADVANCE CITIZENS PERCEPTIONS OF RWES AND LRA ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY & VALUABLE SERVICE

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

90 B.1.5-a Establish/strengthen Customer X Carried over from Two more RWEs Service Centers in at least two Y2-Q4. Delayed will be supported RWEs and carried into Y3. through the supply Rehabilitation of of TV screens and SLWE’s customer branding design. service center completed in Y5- Q1.

91 B.1.6 Install ERP customer relations Completed in Y4- module in NLWE Q3.

92 B.1.5-b Corporate videos developed for Completed in Y3- at least two RWEs Q4.

93 B.1.4-b Three of four RWEs/MoEW will Completed in Y3- have informative websites that Q4. provide up-to-date information

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RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT & ADVANCE CITIZENS PERCEPTIONS OF RWES AND LRA ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY & VALUABLE SERVICE

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

on RWE operations and facilitate customers registering complaints.

B.2. REDUCE NON-PRODUCTIVE (WASTEFUL) USES OF WATER IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN SETTINGS IN SELECTED AREAS OF INTERVENTION

94 B.2.1 Design and launch incentive Completed in Y2. rebate program for farmers

95 B.2.2 Identify at least one agro-industry Completed in Y3- willing to reduce water use Q1.

69 Support at least five farmer field Completed in Y4- days Q1.

96 B.2.3 Secure commitments of at least Completed in Y3- . 20 farmers to switch to more Q1. efficient irrigation technologies

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RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT & ADVANCE CITIZENS PERCEPTIONS OF RWES AND LRA ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY & VALUABLE SERVICE

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

97 B.2.4 Develop and give at least five Completed in Y3- presentations to chambers of Q4. commerce and industry associations on ISO 14045/46

98 B.2.5 Identified farmers and industries X Completed in Y5- undertake “agreed to” Q3. commitments

B.3. INCREASE CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN IMPROVING WATER USE BEHAVIOR FOR ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES PROTECTION

99 B.3-1 Forge partnerships with municipal Completed in Y2. governments in the Litani Basin

117.a Launch grant fund Completed in Y2.

117.b Awards 7 grants to improve Completed inY3- water use behavior and Q4. conservation

102 B.3-4 Identify media personalities and Completed in Y3- programs interested in water Q3. issues and plan program

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RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT & ADVANCE CITIZENS PERCEPTIONS OF RWES AND LRA ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY & VALUABLE SERVICE

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

highlighting water issues in Lebanon

103 B.3.2-b Establish partnerships with at Completed in Y3- least 20 municipal governments Q2. around water use, management, and protection activities

104 B.3.5 Co-sponsor at least one river Completed in Y3- clean-up day in the Litani Basin Q4.

105 B.3.6-a Develop initial education Completed in Y4- LWP is seeking to materials on water resources and Q2. reproduce the conservation strategies for use in materials because of schools their success.

106 B.3.7 Launch support for student Completed in Y3- research on water-related Q3. challenges

107.a B.3.6-b At least 20 schools will be using Completed in Y4- LWP-developed materials on Q2. 21 schools of water resources the Bekaa reached

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RESULT B: IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT & ADVANCE CITIZENS PERCEPTIONS OF RWES AND LRA ROLE IN PROVIDING A NECESSARY & VALUABLE SERVICE

Next Steps or Expected Del. Y6 Status of Activity Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

107.b B.3.6.-b Support research studies by Student research university students on water- papers submitted to related challenges LWP by end of March 2020. Deliverable submitted to USAID for approval.

109 B.3.9 At least three media campaigns Completed in Y3- will be aired on water resources Q4. and conservation challenges in Lebanon

110 B.3 Engage at least one civil society Completed. COVID-19 CSOs coordinate group or citizen's organization Contract to CSOs pandemic hindering with infrastructure per area of intervention to for Jezzine, Koura, activities. team to accompany identify and implement locally and Metn awarded works in appropriate solutions for in Y3-Q4. demonstration improved water use behavior for areas. environment and water resources protection

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RESULT C: IMPROVE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT TASK C.1. DEVELOP A PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY, WASTEWATER, OR IRRIGATION SERVICE DELIVERY After two years of intensive meetings and presentations highlighting the benefits of outsourcing bill payments to the private sector, LWP succeeded in mediating a contract between CU and SLWE. The contract follows a similar one signed earlier between Bekaa Water Establishment and CU in 2017. The contract offers SLWE customers the chance to pay their water bills via one of 600 CashUnited points of sale, scattered all over the country. This partnership spares them commuting to SLWE customer service centers during peak traffic hours or waiting in line to pay their bills, and is expected to improve collection rates, reduce overdue bills, improve cash flow, and facilitate the payment process to customers. Additionally, fraud is expected to be reduced, with enhanced transparency in transactions. As a bonus benefit, SLWE will be able to tap into CU’s communication and marketing capacities to promote bill payments. Actual bill payments at CU’s counters started in June 2019. Because of the success of this LWP initiative, and in Y5-Q1, SLWE signed its contract contact with OMT, similar service provider, and replicated this partnership, expanding its services even further to cover over 1500 points of sale/counters nationwide.

LWP also continued efforts to create public-private partnerships with the RWEs during Year 4 and obtained their approval on specific PPP projects. However, the political and financial crisis have created a sizeable obstacle to PPPs in general because of the quasi inability of the Lebanese Government and the RWEs to engage in financial borrowing or loan activities. By the same token, the private sector has also been affected and its will to engage in such partnership dampened. While LWP understands that the decision to sign a performance-based contract is the prerogative of the RWEs, LWP, in previous quarters, developed the projects summarized below:

BMLWE: After several months of follow-up with BMLWE, LWP finally obtained the approval of the DG to pursue a complete feasibility study for the Hrach Hydropower Plant. After launching the request for proposals in April 2020, LWP held, a month later, a pre-bid meeting for interested service providers, some of which were international companies. In June 2020, after receiving eight proposals, the LWP evaluation committee met to finalize selection of the subcontractor that will conduct the study. Launch of the study is planned or Y5-Q4. This new LWP study will provide necessary information on the technical, financial, and economic return of the project, especially as it pertains to offsetting the energy costs of BMLWE’s nearby pumping station. Having a clear financial picture on this endeavor will only increase BMLWE’s chances on venturing into a PPP with a private sector entity, or even invest in offsetting its energy bill.

BWE: The focus of this PPP initiative is a six-year Performance-Based Contract for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of three BWE WWTPs, located in Zahle, Joubb Jannine, and Saghbine, including network lift stations. The preliminary cost estimate for this project is US $28 million. At the beginning of Y5-Q1, BWE’s DG met with LWP with to discuss the Performance Based Contract developed earlier. The purpose of the meeting was to brief and bring-up to speed the DG’s new team on LWP’ work and ensure BWE staff continues to follow-up on the matter. LWP delivered a full presentation on its BWE PPP initiative and provided guidance to BWE staff on how to approach and handle such PBC. BWE staff confirmed the fact that the PBC, along with using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), was a priority, especially when discussing with CDR the contract renewal of the Iaat WWTP. This ensures a certain sustainability of LWP efforts invested in PPP initiative. BWE plans to move forward with identifying funding sources to implement its PPP activities.

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NLWE: The focus of this PPP initiative is a six-year Performance-Based Contract for the reduction of non-revenue water in Tripoli. Through a six-year performance-based contract, a private sector operator will manage NLWE’s daily operations, maintain and develop Tripoli’s water infrastructure, hold communication campaigns to raise awareness on water citizenship and responsible water use, and transfer its knowledge to NLWE’s staff through training and other methods. The preliminary cost estimate for this project is US $29 million. LWP promoted this initiative to various financial institutions, including EBRD. EBRD communicated its official willingness to finance this venture through private equity loans, to which HCP responded with an official acceptance of financing a feasibility study based on EBRD requirements. In the third quarter of Year 4, LWP finalized the revisions NLWE requested in the proposed PPP documents after discussions with the EBRD about financing, and NLWE’s Board of Directors officially approved the Tripoli PPP initiative and supporting documents. The approval decision was then submitted to the MoEW for ratification, and NLWE also requested that the MoEW inform the Higher Council for Privatization (HCP). Once the MoEW ratifies the Tripoli PPP initiative, NLWE can move forward and request that the HCP conduct the feasibility study agreed on based on EBRD requirements for financing.

SLWE: In August 2019, LWP met with SLWE DG to discuss the SLWE strategy to reduce energy costs through a potential PPP. Building on the government’s recent call for renewable energy production, LWP proposed to SLWE to issue an expression of interest for private companies specializing in solar energy. LWP and SLWE agreed that LWP will draft the expression of interest for SLWE while SLWE will decide internally on what facilities to consider as part of its pilot project. To this end, LWP worked closely with SLWE, prepared the EOI, and shared it with SLWE. SLWE has put on hold this initiative because of the current financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of the latest political, economic and financial challenges the country is facing, completion of PPP contracts may be significantly hindered until country stability is established again.

TASK C.2. DEVELOP AT LEAST ONE PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO LEVERAGE THE FUNDING OF INNOVATIVE WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES The marble and granite processing industry is a major consumer of water. Significant quantities of wastewater are generated during the production process, specifically, contaminated storm water runoff, and machinery cooling wastewater. Selected by the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) and LWP in earlier years, nine stone cutting industries under the Water Efficiency in Lebanese Industry (WELI) program of ALI concluded their work in Y4-Q3. To celebrate the successful installation of the new recycling systems, LWP and ALI held ceremony on April 23, 2019 under the auspices of the Minister of Industry and in the presence of representatives of the ministries of industry and energy and water. These nine marble-cutting enterprises are also saving a total of nearly $700,000 per year after installing water-saving equipment and up to 90% of the water they use yearly in the marble-cutting process.

During Y5-Q1, LWP completed its visits to the nine marble-cutting industries that had installed the water recycling equipment and verified the equipment was still in good condition and properly being used. To conclude this activity, LWP drafted a report on successes and lessons learned under this program and submitted to USAID.

TASK C.3. DEVELOP AT LEAST ONE PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE WATER USAGE AWARENESS LWP initiated the concept of water stewardship – water conservation, reuse, and treatment – with the private sector during Year 2. During Year 3 and 4, LWP expanded this initiative, and has to date

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established stewardship cooperation commitments with companies in the media, banking, manufacturing, and wine industries, including with AUDI Bank, Fransabank/LBC, the winery Château St. Thomas, and MTV.

During Year 4, in partnership with Fransabank, LWP continued its roadshow for sustainable energy financing. Fransabank announced that it expanded the scope of its water stewardship initiative to include financing options for projects addressing sustainable management of water resources. Fransabank has also reached out to LWP and proposed to continue using existing and new LWP communication materials to disseminate water usage awareness and conservation messaging through LBCI, a major TV channel. MTV, another major TV channel, has also reaffirmed its commitment to host the DGs of RWEs and show the improvement works undertaken at each RWE, in a setting that will be agreed on at a later stage.

In Y4-Q3, LWP also organized a meeting to connect its private sector partners to EBRD's Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF). With a view to ensure the sustainability of LWP investments following the end of the project, the objective was to inform partners about a source of affordable credit which can be used to expand investments in environmental protection and water-saving technologies. The GEFF supports businesses and households that wish to invest in green technologies through soft financing (loans with below-market interest rates); this may be attractive to businesses after LWP's grants program supporting such investments has ended. Attending the meeting were representatives from agribusinesses, directorate general for cooperatives, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Zahlehh and Bekaa, the marble and rock-cutting industry, and ALI.

For detailed information related to all activities under the tasks of Result C, please refer to the table below.

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RESULT C TABLE: ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

RESULT C: IMPROVE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT

Next Steps or Expected Status of Deliv. Y6 Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Activity Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

C.1. DEVELOP A PILOT SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY, WASTEWATER, OR IRRIGATION SERVICE DELIVERY

113 C.1.1-a Develop at least two service X Completed in contracts with RWEs for Y4-Q2. Contract private sector support in between reducing NRW CashUnited and SLWE signed in Y4-Q2. OMT and SLWE contract signed in Y5-Q1.

114 C.1 NOT USED

115 C.1.1-b At least three contracts X All contracts and  Willingness of RWEs to move developed for use by RWEs tender RWEs to engage forward with the PPP with private companies to documents in PPP activities. agreements and improve operations, deliver developed and obtain financing and

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RESULT C: IMPROVE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT

Next Steps or Expected Status of Deliv. Y6 Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Activity Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

improved services, and shared with  Financial capacity approvals from manage wastewater system RWEs. of RWE and government.

- identifying financing for O&M service contracts for main facilities

C.2. DEVELOP AT LEAST ONE PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO LEVERAGE THE FUNDING OF INNOVATIVE WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES.

116 C.2.1 Develop incentive-rebate Completed in program and prize concept to Y2. spur the transition of industries to more efficient water uses

100 C.2 Hold at least four meetings Completed in with industry associations on Y3-Q3. water conservation issues.

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RESULT C: IMPROVE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT

Next Steps or Expected Status of Deliv. Y6 Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Activity Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

108 Partnerships will be Completed in established with industry Y3-Q4. Prize associations to conduct water award ceremony audits, co-sponsor workshops held in Y3-Q4. on water conservation technologies, and award annual prizes to industries that significantly reduce water use or pollution.

118 C.2.2-b Award at least 3 innovation Completed in grants to develop/promote Y3-Q4. more efficient water use.

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RESULT C: IMPROVE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN WATER MANAGEMENT

Next Steps or Expected Status of Deliv. Y6 Challenges Mitigating Completion Y5 Activity Task & Activities Measures No. Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

C.3. DEVELOP AT LEAST ONE PILOT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE WATER USAGE AWARENESS

119 C.3.1 Identify at least three Completed in interested sectors/industries Y3-Q2. to do awareness

120 C.3.2a Launch at least one pilot with Completed in industry to improve water use Y3-Q3. awareness among their members

121 C.3.2b Establish at least five programs Completed in with industry and business Y3-Q4. associations, and media to improve water use among their members and by the general public

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ANNEXES

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ANNEX A – SUMMARY OF GRANTS Below are the LWP grants that are active in Y5-Q3.

Grantee Purpose of Grant Award Amount of Current Grantee Main Achievements Organization Date Grant Disbursement to Date

LRC LRC will promote July 6, LL.217,882,500.00 LL 182,622,000 -Project officially launched with NLWE and six NLWE’s image 2017 municipalities of Koura. through awareness ($145,255.00 @ campaigns in the $1=LL1,500) - Completion of First Round of Awareness Koura Caza focusing on the duties of -Two Water Festivals Completed. consumers and - LRC to complete awareness activities through citizens. virtual sessions. Collaborating with municipalities,

NLWE, and citizens, LRC intends to attain a “Village with Sustainable Access to Water”.

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CCIAZ “Improving water August 24, LL.223,062,000.00 LL.223,062,000 Grant Completed in Y5-Q1 availability, quality 2017 and uses in ($148,708.00 @ agriculture and $1=LL1,500) industry in the Bekaa” is CCIAZ’s project. CCIAZ intends to assist farmers in the Bekaa with drip irrigation systems and monitoring equipment. It will also develop irrigation schedules, provide new irrigation technologies, and install solar panels to reduce both water and energy consumption. Finally, CCIAZ will assist dairy producers in decreasing pollution and treating dairy waste.

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Grantee Purpose of Grant Award Amount of Current Grantee Main Achievements Organization Date Grant Disbursement to Date

Saint Joseph Raise awareness July 16, LL.135,665,000.00 LL.120,000,000 The grantee is still working on water management in University - among youth and 2018 Metn and activities have been adapted to fit the CEEDD adults about ($90,443.33 @ current COVID-19 crisis. sustainable water use $1=LL1,500) and management, in order to reduce water consumption in Metn district.

Liaise Metn citizens with BMLWE and strengthen the communication between the citizens and water contractors.

Jezzine Raise awareness August 7, L.L.87,992,200.00 LL. 87,991,410 Grant Completed in Y5-Q3 Foundation among the local 2018 for Culture communities and ($58,660.94 @ and Heritage national authorities $1=LL1,500) about sustainable use and management of As per modified natural water final grant resources and agreement awaken their eco-

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Grantee Purpose of Grant Award Amount of Current Grantee Main Achievements Organization Date Grant Disbursement to Date

citizen spirit to reduce water consumption within schools and households in the Jezzine region. L.L.92,186,400.00 Establish a sustainable ($61,457.360 @ network and $1=LL1,500) strengthen the communication Original Agreement between the local community stakeholders involved in the management of water problems and resources.

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ANNEX B – SUMMARY OF TRAININGS Below is a summary of all training delivered and completed in Y5-Q3.

Number of Training Title Training Date Purpose of Training Participants

Female Male

Training on meters March 10-11, June 17, 3 8 Training spread over three days, on chlorination systems, pumps (district and 2020 control panels, and district and customer meters installed. customer), chlorinators, and electrical systems for SLWE staff.

Training on financial May 8, 9, 10, and 18, 4 3 Training on financial analysis to the SLWE audit team to help analysis for SLWE 2020 them better understand and analyze the establishment’s financial staff situation and assess it under the current circumstances.

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ANNEX C – SUMMARY OF GENDER INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES Below is a description of LWP gender integration and mainstreaming activities for Y5-Q3. Additional activities are planned for Y5 as LWP moves along with its activities.

Activity Name Activity Date Activity Description

Training activities as Y5-Q3 All training sessions delivered targeted women and men. described under Annex B above

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ANNEX D – SUMMARY OF SHORT TERM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE There was no short term technical assistance under LWP this quarter.

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ANNEX E – ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE Below are all environmental compliance activities that took place in Y5-Q3.

LWP Environmental Mitigation & Monitoring Actions

Activity # Activity Description Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Update

RESULT A: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CAPACITY

TASK A.6 NLWE – PODAs  Rahbe: The project restarted in mid Y5-Q3, after a forced pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Environmental Review Officer (ERO) visited the site and found that most of the mitigation measures were being implemented. As per the ERAC, the ERO recommended planting trees around the newly installed generator, to reduce emitted air pollution.

 Rachaaine: The project restarted in mid Y5-Q3, after a forced pause due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Environmental Review Officer (ERO) visited the site and found that most of the mitigation measures were being implemented. The site needed cleaning, and the contractor was asked to clean the site before finishing construction works.

 Bazaoun: The ERO visited the site and has drafted and submitted the Environmental Review Assessment Checklist (ERAC). USAID approved the ERAC.

TASK A.7 SLWE demonstration area This activity is completed. project

TASK A.7 NLWE demonstration area The ERAC was approved by USAID. The subcontractor submitted the health and safety plan to project LWP who approved it. The ERO visited the site and found that the contractor was implementing the environmental, health and safety plan. The sites were fully barricaded,

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LWP Environmental Mitigation & Monitoring Actions

Activity # Activity Description Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Update

workers were using their respective PPEs. Also, the site was regularly being cleaned and solid waste and construction waste were properly disposed of.

TASK A.7 BMLWE demonstration area The ERAC was approved by USAID. The subcontractor submitted the health and safety plan, project which was approved by LWP. While the subcontractor was working on the installation of customer meters, the ERO found that the mitigation measures were fully implemented. As the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the workers were using their respective PPEs along with facemasks and gloves while installing meters and visiting households.

TASK A.9. Support the development of  Roum constructed wetland: LWP’s consultant prepared the Environmental Impact context appropriate models Assessment (EIA) based on the design, the Ministry of Environment (MoE)’s comments and for sanitation service and LWP’s comments on the EIA screening report. The EIA was submitted to MoE for review sewage management and approval. In Y5-Q1, the MoE approved the EIA. The report along with the ERAC were approved by USAID in Y5-Q2. The contractor submitted the health and safety plan that was approved by LWP.

 Joubb Jannine and Kherbet Qanafar (rehabilitation and extension of WW networks). LWP submitted the ERAC to USAID and it was approved. The ERO visited the sites, and found that most of the mitigation measures were implemented. The subcontractor was coordinating with both municipalities on traffic management. The ERO and the WRM team visited the site, the environment, health and safety plan was implemented. This activity is completed.

 Kherbet Qanafar wetland: this activity is completed.

 Wastewater treatment plants rehabilitation (Jbaa, Moukhtara, and Mrousti): The ERO visited the site and drafted the ERAC. LWP submitted the ERAC to USAID and it was approved. The ERO visited the sites, and found that most of the mitigation measures

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Activity # Activity Description Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Update

were implemented. The ERO recommended that the sites be cleaned before construction works are completed. This activity will be completed in Y5-Q4.

N.B.: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all workers, engineers and visitors to construction sites, were asked to use, along with the regular construction PPEs, facemasks and wash their hands (or use hand gels) regularly and/or when they enter and leave the sites.

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ANNEX F –SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS STATUS The intent of this table is to identify construction projects and major ongoing activities while addressing construction challenges and mitigation measures/resolutions. All LWP construction projects have full time construction quality control (CQC) provided by the design engineering firm. LWP as the implementer and Social Impact as the USAID construction quality assurance firm provide additional oversight.

Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

South Lebanon Water Establishment – Jezzine Demonstration Area

Villages with ongoing works and substantial challenges

Jezzine City (customer meters, district meters, Resolved and completed: The - Civil works completed. customer service center, rehabilitation of assembly additional works requested by pumping station, distribution line) SLWE (supply and installation of - Customer and District meter installation 35 sampling points across the completed. Demonstration Area in addition to the supply and installation of 500 additional customer meters for

new subscribers) were completed in Y5Q2.

Resolved and completed: The issue of customer meters cracking in villages above 1050 m due to exceptional low temperature, was fixed by Subcontractor in Y5Q2. Meters and fittings in boxes above 1050 m altitude were insulated.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

- Delays in handing over the - The subcontractor’s software suppliers are customer and district coordinating with LWP technical team/SLWE to meter software to solve pending issues. beneficiary due to technical issues. - Handing over process for Jezzine demo area was initiated in June 2020. All locations were handed over to SLWE in presence of SI/DARNT, consultant and subcontractor. Substantial completion is still subject to proper operation of customer and district meters software.

Ain Majdalein (construction of new reservoir, Resolved and completed: the - Completed. reservoir rehabilitation) Solar system that needed to be added to the scope of work to secure electricity for the chlorinators and for the telemetry system was installed and challenge resolved in Y5Q2.

Kroum el Arez (customer meters, district meters, Resolved and completed: Shoring - Completed. distribution network, new reservoir, new pumping works that were put on hold due station) to high cost of implementation were cancelled and challenge was resolved in Y5Q2.

Bteddine el Loqch (customer meters, district Resolved and Completed: - Completed. meters, rehabilitation of WWTP) Additional activities requested by SLWE to be implemented in the WWTP were completed in Y5Q2.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

Sniye (customer meters, district meters, Resolved through cancelation: - Completed. distribution network, WWTP rehabilitation) Subcontractor faced difficulties in accessing the WWTP site.

Villages with No Major Challenges

Aazour (customer meters, district meters, - Completed construction of new reservoir, shoring works)

Anane (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

Beba (customer meters, district meters, reservoir - Completed rehabilitation)

Bisri (customer meters) - Completed

Bouslaya (customer meters, district meters, - Completed distribution network)

Haidab (customer meters) - Completed

Haitoura (customer meters, district meters, WWTP - Completed rehabilitation)

Harf (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

Homsiyeh (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

Machmouche (customer meters, district meters, - Completed reservoir rehabilitation) No Major Challenges. Macknouniye (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

Mazraet el Mathane (customer meters, district - Completed meters, reservoir rehabilitation)

Midane (customer meters, pumping station - Completed rehabilitation)

Ouadi Jezzine (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

Qaitoule (customer meters, district meters, - Completed distribution network, reservoir rehabilitation)

Qattine (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

Qoubaa (customer meters, district meters, - Completed reservoir rehabilitation)

Qtaleh (customer meters, district meters, reservoir - Completed rehabilitation)

Raimat (customer meters, district meters, - Completed distribution network, reservoir rehabilitation)

Roum (customer meters, district meters, reservoir - Completed rehabilitation)

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

Sabah (customer meters, district meters, - Completed distribution network)

Saidoun (customer meters) - Completed

Taaid (customer meters, district meters, - Completed distribution network)

Zhalta (customer meters, district meters) - Completed

Jal Neshe replaced by Benouati (customer meters, - Completed distribution network, reservoir rehabilitation)

Ain el Zarqua (spring rehabilitation) - Completed.

Shoum 1 & 2 (rehabilitation of pumping stations) - Completed.

Jouret el Souk (well rehabilitation) - Completed.

Cancelled. Aaziba (catching basin, transmission line) -

Dahr el Ramleh (transmission line) - Completed.

Completed. Machmouche/ Ghobatiyeh (transmission line) No Major Challenges. -

Jouar El Sous (transmission line) - Completed.

Ain Sfaray/Mazraet el Mathane (transmission line) - Completed. -

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

Beirut & Mount Lebanon Water Establishment – Metn Demonstration Area

Villages with ongoing works and substantial challenges

Bhersaf (customer water meters) The municipality is still opposing LWP is coordinating with BMLWE and Bhersaf Municipality the installation of customer water to solve the issue. meters.

Cornet Chahwane (customer water meters) Resolved: The municipality It was agreed with the subcontractor to install the meter initially opposed the installation of boxes as discreet as possible. customer water meters requiring the installation of meter boxes in Construction activities were put on hold at the end of unexposed locations. LWP Y5Q2 due to General mobilization procedures. resolved the issue with Cornet Chehwan Municipality. Works expected to launch beginning of Y5Q4.

Mtaileb (customer meters) Resolved: The municipality It was agreed with the subcontractor to install the meter initially opposed the installation of boxes as discreet as possible. customer water meters requiring the installation of meter boxes in Construction activities were put on hold at the end of unexposed locations. LWP Y5Q2 due to General mobilization procedures. resolved the issue with Mtaileb Municipality. Works expected to launch beginning of Y5Q4.

Roumieh (district meters areas, customer water The Municipality was opposing the - Customer meters installation ongoing. meters) installation of CWM due to water shortage. With the intervention of BMLWE, LWP was able to coordinate with Roumieh municipality and

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

installation of customer water meters started end of Y5Q3.

Beit El Chaar (customer water meters) The Municipality was opposing the - Customer meters installation ongoing. installation of CWM. With the intervention of BMLWE, LWP was able to coordinate with Beit el Chaar municipality and installation of customer water meters started end of Y5Q3.

Villages with No Major Challenges

Ain Aalak (district meters area, rehabilitation of Resolved through payment: Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. system reservoir, customer water meters) Delays caused by: - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works - Material shortage and ongoing. delays due to prior banking restrictions. - District meters installation is ongoing.

- General mobilization - Customer meters installation completed. announced by Lebanese Baabdat (customer meters, district meters area, Government to minimize Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. rehabilitation of system reservoir) COVID-19 spread. - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

- Customer meters installation is ongoing.

- District meters installation is ongoing.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

Beit Chabeb (customer meters, district meters Resolved through payment: Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. area, rehabilitation of system reservoir) Delays caused by: - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works - Material shortage due to ongoing. prior banking restrictions. - Customer meters installation completed. - General mobilization announced by Lebanese - District meters installation is ongoing. Government to minimize Beit el Kiko (district meters area, rehabilitation of COVID-19 spread . Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. system reservoir) - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

- District meters installation is ongoing.

Dahr el Souan (customer meters, district meters Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. area, rehabilitation of system reservoir) - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

- Customer meters installation is completed.

- District meters installation completed.

Dik el Mehdi (district meters area, rehabilitation of Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. system reservoir, Customer meters) - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

- District meters installation is ongoing.

- Customer meters installation is ongoing.

Mazraet Yachouh (customer meters, district Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. meters area, rehabilitation of system reservoir) - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

- Customer meters installation is completed.

- District meters installation is ongoing.

Broumana Mar Chaaya (customer meters, district Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. meters area, rehabilitation of system reservoir) - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

- Customer meters installation is ongoing.

- District meters installation is ongoing.

Qornet el Hamra (district meters area, Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. rehabilitation of system reservoir) - Civil works completed. Electromechanical works ongoing.

- Customer water meters is completed.

- District meters installation is ongoing.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

Fraike (customer water meters) - Customer meters installation is completed.

Bikfaya-Misk (customer meters) - Customer meters installation is ongoing.

Attchanet (customer meters) - Customer meters installation is completed.

Jouret El Ballout (customer meters) - Customer meters installation is completed.

Zakrit (customer water meters) - Customer meters installation is completed.

North Lebanon Water Establishment – Koura Demonstration Area

Chekka/Jradeh pumping station (rehabilitation of Resolved through payment: Construction activities resumed during Y5-Q3. pumping station) Delays caused by: Civil and electromechanical works were ongoing. - - Material shortage due to prior banking restrictions.

- General mobilization announced by Lebanese Government to minimize COVID-19 spread.

Qalhat (construction of new elevated reservoir, Resolved through payment: Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. network extension, district meters area, customer Delays due to: meters) Reservoir: Civil works are ongoing. - Material shortage due to prior banking restrictions. Network: works are completed.

District meters area: works are ongoing.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

- General mobilization announced by Lebanese Government to minimize COVID-19 spread.

The Municipality is opposing the LWP is coordinating with Qalhat municipality and NLWE to installation of customer water solve the issue. meters due to shortage of water.

Fiaa (district meters area, customer meters) 18 out of 350 Subscribers are - Customer meters installation was ongoing. opposing the installation of LWP is coordinating with NLWE and municipality customer water meters. to complete the installation of remaining meters. - District meters installation was ongoing.

Batroumine (district meters area, customer - Delays due to General Construction activities resumed during Y5Q3. meters) mobilization announced by Lebanese Government - Customer meters installation was ongoing. Afsdik (district meters area, customer meters) to minimize COVID-19 - District meters installation was ongoing. spread.

District meters installation was ongoing. Deddeh (district meters area) -

Fiaa – Jradeh pumping line (rehabilitation of No major challenges. Final design package was finalized. Expected to start existing 6 Km line) construction in August 2020.

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Project Title/Status Challenges Resolution/Update

North Lebanon Water Establishment – NLWE PODA

Bazaoun (well equipping, construction of new - Delays in submission of - Geotechnical investigation was performed in Y5- reservoir, connection pipeline) the Final Design that was Q3 and findings were incorporated in Final design subject to geotechnical package. Final design is under review by LWP and investigation findings at A&E. the reservoir location. The geotechnical investigation was delayed due General mobilization announced by Lebanese Government to minimize COVID-19 spread and suspension of works on all sites.

Rachaaine (Construction of a new pumping station, - Delays due to the General - Works related to existing reservoir and new connection pipeline, rehabilitation of existing mobilization announced by distribution line are completed. reservoir) Lebanese Government to minimize COVID-19 - Resumption of Works related to pumping station spread and suspension of occurred in May 2020 instead of start of Y5Q3. works on all sites.

Rahbe (Well deepening and equipping, - Delays due to the General - Works related to existing reservoir and new construction of new pumping station and mobilization announced by distribution line are completed. connection pipeline, rehabilitation of existing Lebanese Government to reservoir) minimize COVID-19 - Resumption of Works related to pumping station spread and suspension of occurred in May 2020 instead of start of Y5Q3. works on all sites.

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ANNEX G – SUMMARY OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA Please refer to the excel spreadsheet attached as Annex G.

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