LEBANON WATER PROJECT ASSESSMENT OF SMALL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN LEBANON SUMMARY OCTOBER 2017 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DAI Global L.L.C LEBANON WATER PROJECT ASSESSMENT OF SMALL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN LEBANON SUMMARY Program Title: Lebanon Water Project Sponsoring USAID Office: Lebanon Contract Number: AID-268-N-15-00001 Contractor: DAI Global LLC (DAI) Date of Publication: October 24, 2017 Author: Lebanon Water Project DISCLAIMER The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. III SWWTP Summary CONTENTS CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ IV ACRONYMS................................................................................................................. V BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................... 1 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................ 1 METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................... 1 FINDINGS .................................................................................................................... 4 SWWTPS PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGIES ................................................................................................... 4 STATUS OF EQUIPMENT USED IN THE SWWTPS. ...................................................................................... 5 RESULTS OF ON-SITE PARAMETER AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS .................................................... 6 TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LIMITATIONS AND CHALLENGES........................................... 9 ANALYSIS AND LESSONS LEARNED.................................................................. 11 TECHNICAL LESSONS LEARNED ..................................................................................................................... 12 ADMINISTRATIVE LESSONS LEARNED .......................................................................................................... 13 IV SWWTP Summary ACRONYMS BNR Biological Nutrition Removal BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand BMLWE Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment CAPEX Capital Expenditures COD Chemical Oxygen Demand DAI DAI Global LLC ELARD Earth, Link, and Advanced Resources Development EVL Environmental Limit Values GoL Government of Lebanon KPI Key Performance Indicators LWP Lebanon Water Project MoE Ministry of Environment O&M Operation and Maintenance PH Potential of Hydrogen RWE Regional Water Establishment SOP Standard Operating Procedure SWWTP Small Wastewater Treatment Plant TKN Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen TP Total Phosphorus TSS Total Suspended Solids USAID United States Agency for International Development WW Wastewater WWTP Wastewater Treatment Plant V SWWTP Summary BACKGROUND The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Lebanon Water Project (LWP) is a five-year project that works to increase reliable and sustainable access to potable water for Lebanese citizens, improve water management practices and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of public water utilities, while raising awareness on sustainable water use practices. LWP also targets improving wastewater (WW) management practices through implementing new low cost WW treatment options and enhancing the efficiency of existing small wastewater treatment plants (SWWTPs). The Government of Lebanon (GoL) has implemented several projects to improve WW collection and treatment. However, very little WW is treated before being discharged into the Mediterranean Sea, rivers, valleys, or dry water wells. While Law 221 dictates that the Regional Water Establishments (RWEs) manage WW collection and treatment, only a few of these facilities are commissioned and operated by the RWEs due to the high costs of operation and maintenance of each facility. OBJECTIVES Land that can be used for WW treatment is scarce in urban areas with high population density. Opting for a mechanical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that requires a relatively small area is the preferable method of treatment, as is the case for the WWTPs located in Tripoli and Zahleh. In rural areas low in population density, land is generally available for less complex technologies with lower operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Different wastewater treatment technologies have been implemented in rural areas of Lebanon, such as the Kherbet Qanafar wetland (West Beqaa Caza/district) and the Ablah SWWTP (Zahleh Caza/district) In addition to the difference in technologies the management of these plants differs from one area to another. Some of these plants are currently operated by the RWEs, others run by union of municipalities and some others were left for individual municipalities to take care off. LWP hired the consulting engineering firm Earth, Link and Advanced Resources Development (ELARD) to assess the status of SWWTPs in various rural areas of Lebanon. The rural areas assessed were located in Chouf, Beqaa, and Jezzine Cazas. The assessments primary objective was to develop a case study that would document lessons learned on the key administrative and technical factors behind establishing sustainable low cost sanitation solutions in rural areas. Based on these lessons LWP will conduct its assessment with the GoL to identify locations under each RWE for low cost sanitation solutions. A secondary objective of this exercise included a technical assessment to identify additional investment needs to enhance the operation of the selected SWWTPs. METHODOLOGY Twelve (12) small wastewater treatment plants were selected for this case study by LWP team. The selection was based on the following criteria: 1. The various treatment technologies used: When selecting the plants, the different treatment technologies being used were identified and then plants using different technologies were selected to give a representative sampling. The two main treatment technologies used in most of the SWWTPs are Extended Aeration and Activated Sludge, and in some cases a combined system. The selected sites include both technologies. 1 SWWTP Summary 2. The operational status: The selection considered the operational efficiency of the potential plants to be included in the study. Some of the selected plants are operational, others are not at full capacity, and one of the plants selected is not operational. The main purpose is to understand why these plants are operating at different levels and what could have been done to increase operational efficiency. 3. The various entities responsible for the operation of these facilities: An important criterion considered in the selection was the entity responsible for the operation of the facility. In some cases the SWWTP is being operated by the local authority, and in others are operated by the relevant RWE. 4. The geographical spread of the SWWTPs: To make sure the selection has a geographic spread across the different RWEs. The main purpose behind this criterion was to share lessons learned with the respective RWEs about SWWTP operations and to understand if other social, economic, and political factors may influence the successful implementation of sanitation solutions in rural areas. The outcome of this case study is to provide guidance and strategic insight to LWP on how to approach sanitation solutions as part of its mandate. As LWP will be addressing low cost sanitation solutions, the outcome of this case study will help LWP formulate its strategy in selecting and implementing low cost sanitation solutions for the coming two years. The main challenges and recommendations stated in the following sections are the main pillars on which LWP can build a strong foundation for investing in low cost sustainable solutions in its course of action. The 12 SWWTPs included in the assessment are listed by location in Figure 1. Figure 1. List of SWWTPs Included in the Assessment No. Mouhafaza Caza 1 Mount Lebanon Chouf El Khraibe 2 Mount Lebanon Chouf Jbaa 3 Mount Lebanon Chouf El Moukhtara/Boutme 4 Mount Lebanon Chouf Aammatour 5 Mount Lebanon Chouf Niha/Bater 6 Mount Lebanon Chouf Maaser El Chouf 7 Mount Lebanon Chouf Mrousti 8 Beqaa Zahleh Ablah 9 Beqaa Zahleh El Fourzol 10 Beqaa West Beqaa Aaitanit 11 South Lebanon Jezzine Barti 12 South Lebanon Jezzine Rihane The work methodology followed to assess these 12 SWWTPs is based on: 1. Site Visits for Data Collection After reviewing available data (design criteria specifications, treatment process, schematic drawings and actual inflow, O&M budgets and expenditures, status of operation, and challenges), the consultant conducted a site visit to each SWWTP to gather additional information. The following activities occurred during site visits: Recording of the location coordinates of each facility using a GPS. 2 SWWTP Summary Measurement of inflow/outflow of each SWWTP where possible. Interview of operator staff to collect information on the plant management procedures and difficulties and challenges faced during O&M. Site inspection to verify possible deficiencies or technical problems. 2. Wastewater Sampling and Analysis The consultant collected wastewater samples from the operating SWWTPs using standard sampling protocols for collecting