Lebanon Water Project Needs Assessment for Communal Water Services with a Focus on Host Communities

LEBANON WATER PROJECT NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR COMMUNAL WATER SERVICES WITH A FOCUS ON HOST COMMUNITIES

NOVEMBER 15, 2016

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DAI Global LLC.

LEBANON WATER PROJECT NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR COMMUNAL WATER SERVICES WITH A FOCUS ON HOST COMMUNITIES

Program Title: Lebanon Water Project

Sponsoring USAID Office: Lebanon

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

Contractor: DAI Global LLC

Date of Publication: NOVEMBER 15, 2016

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.

CONTENT

ACRONYMS...... I

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1

BACKGROUND ...... 3 THE LEBANON WATER PROJECT ...... 3 BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT ...... 3

WATER A RESOURCE UNDER PRESSURE ...... 5 INTRODUCTION ...... 5 SCARCE RESOURCES AND FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE ...... 5 CONSTRAINED REGIONAL WATER ESTABLISHMENTS ...... 7 MUNICIPALITIES FACING HEAVY PRESSURES ...... 8 CONCLUSION ...... 10

FOCUS COMMUNITIES ...... 11 INTRODUCTION ...... 11 DEFINITION OF MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES ...... 11

METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS ...... 13 INTRODUCTION ...... 13 METHODOLOGY ...... 13

FINDINGS ...... 17 FINDINGS FROM THE LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 17 FINDINGS FROM THE CONSULTATION MEETINGS ...... 17 SYNTHESIS FROM FINDINGS ...... 19 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS ...... 20

PROPOSED PROJECTS ...... 22 INTRODUCTION ...... 22 SELECTION CRITERIA ...... 22 COMPILED MATRIX OF SOLUTIONS ...... 25 PROPOSED PROJECTS...... 36 SELECTION RATIONALE ...... 37 CONCLUSION ...... 38

ANNEX A: TABLE OF MEETINGS WITH INGOS AND MUNICIPALITIES ... 39

ANNEX B: PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 41

ANNEX C: COMPILED MATRIX OF PROJECTS ...... 45 ANNEX D: MATRIX OF PROJECTS THIRD TO FIFTH MOST VULNERABLE ...... 46

ACRONYMS

ACF Action Contre La Faim ACTED Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development ANERA American Near East Refugee Aid AND Akkar Network for Development AUB American University of Beirut BMLWE Beirut Mount Lebanon Water Establishment BWE Beqaa Water Establishment CDR Council for Development and Reconstruction CIL Care International Lebanon CSO Civil Society Organization ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment GIZ Gescellschaft fur Internationale Zusmmenarbeit GVC Gruppo di Volontariato Civile IOCC International Organization for Church Charities INGO International Non-Governmental Organization LCSI Lebanon Civic Support Initiative LDO Local Development Office LCRP Lebanon Crisis Response Plan LWP Lebanon Water Project LWWSS Lebanon Water and Wastewater Sector Support MADA MADA Association MCM Million Cubic Meters MEDAIR MEDAIR Emergency Relief and Recovery MoE Ministry of Environment MoEW Ministry of Energy and Water MoSA Ministry of Social Affairs MRR Maps of Risks and Resources NGO Non-Governmental Organization NLWE North Lebanon Water Establishment NWSS National Water Sector Strategy OTI Office of Transition Initiative

PU Premiere Urgence RWE Regional Water Establishment SAWA SAWA Group SLWE South Lebanon Water Establishment STP Sewage Treatment Plant UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Program UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children Emergency Funds UNOCHA United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency USAID United States Agency for International Development USD United States Dollar WASH Water Sanitation and Hygiene WB World Bank WHO World Health Organization WISE Water Infrastructure Support and Enhancement

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Lebanon Water Project (LWP) is a five-year activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the overarching objective of increasing access to clean, reliable, and sustainable sources of drinking water for Lebanese Citizens. LWP will focus on improving Lebanon’s capacity in the management of water resources, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the public water utilities, and addressing water challenges arising from the impact of the Syrian Refugee influx to Lebanon. The influx of Syrian refugees amplified pressures on already constrained water resources and associated infrastructure. Increased water withdrawals, illegal connections, and pollution from wastewater led to a reduction in water availability, and a reduction in water supply to host communities. The decline in basic services adversely impacted quality of life and escalated social tensions among local populations and refugees. Needs have surfaced for water supply and sanitation interventions/projects at the level of host communities. The objective of this assessment is to identify needs and subsequent interventions by LWP that would improve communal water services and alleviate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) related pressures and tensions on most vulnerable host communities in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon, the two geographical areas with the highest population of refugees and water stress. The aim of the report is to identify priority interventions to improve communal water services This report:

• Describes the process and methodology of the needs assessment conducted. • Identifies and prioritizes needs related to water, in partnership with the Beqaa Water Establishment (BWE) and North Lebanon Water Establishment (NLWE), municipal governments, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to improve services to impacted municipalities and communities.

• Selects specific infrastructure projects, which if implemented, will contribute to relieving WASH related pressures from Syrian refugees on host communities in the most vulnerable localities of the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon. LWP has very limited resources allocated to support host communities. Consequently, LWP has prioritized interventions based on the vulnerability index of host communities as set by United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in 2015. Accordingly, focus communities have been selected among host communities classified as most vulnerable and second most vulnerable. In addition, LWP has focused its assessment on the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon because both regions suffer from a combination of vulnerability as determined by the UNOCHA and high water stress levels as determined by the Ministry of Environment (MoE)1. The assessment relied on the below components:

• Intensive literature review of existing assessments done by different, projects, United Nations (UN) agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs), and business plans of the BWE and NLWE.

• Consultation meetings with CSOs, international organizations, BWE, NLWE, municipalities in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon, and with Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW). Through this exercise LWP was able to identify the need for 162 projects in the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon. Using a set of selection criteria determined by LWP and based on its objectives and available resources, the following seven projects were shortlisted:

1 Op.cit. “Lebanon Environmental Assessment for Syrian Conflict and Priority Interventions”. MoE/EU/UNDP. 2014. Page 61.

• Ghazze: Equipping of an existing well and the installation of a solar system to offset electricity costs. • Barr Elias: Equipping of an existing well and installation of a solar system to offset electricity costs. • Qabb Elias: Wetland between Qabb Elias, Makse, and Mrayjet. • Rayak: Completion of Rayak water distribution network. • El Marej: Construction of drainage network for rain water. • Majdlaya: Reduction of pump size from Kadi spring and rehabilitation of Majdlaya network. • Akkar el Aatika: Connecting Joz spring to water tanks by gravity. LWP will investigate the feasibility of the selected projects and select six for implementation. In case some of the shortlisted projects cannot be implemented, LWP will resort to the third most vulnerable localities list of identified projects that pass the selection criteria with the aim of implementing the first six feasible interventions.

BACKGROUND

THE LEBANON WATER PROJECT

The Lebanon Water Project (LWP) is a five-year activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the overarching objective of increasing access to clean, reliable, and sustainable sources of drinking water for Lebanese Citizens. LWP will focus on improving Lebanon’s capacity in the management of water resources, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the public water utilities, and addressing water challenges arising from the impact of the Syrian Refugee influx to Lebanon. The project will provide technical and capital assistance to relevant stakeholders and counterparts in order to enhance the performance of the water sector in Lebanon. LWP will also promote better water governance as means to help ensure long-term preservation of the Lebanon’s water resources. LWP’s Objectives • Improve service delivery and resource management capacity by the five public water utilities. LWP will strengthen the managerial and operational functions of the water utilities, while making the necessary infrastructure upgrades. The project will support the Government of Lebanon’s water sector strategy to further empower public utilities as legitimate water and wastewater services providers.

• Improve civic engagement in water management and advance citizens’ perception of water utilities’ role in providing a necessary and valuable service. The project will promote reform at the policy and regulatory level. This will be a bottom-up approach that strengthens the role of civil society to effectively contribute and participate in democratic water governance. LWP will also increase water users’ awareness and sense of ownership, improve citizens’ responsibilities vis-à-vis water service providers, and promote citizens’ roles and responsibilities with regard to protection of the environment.

• Improve private sector involvement in water management. LWP will promote private sector involvement in water management. The project will identify potential areas for public private and business-to-business partnerships to promote water supply service improvements and develop and fund innovative water conservation technologies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT

The influx of Syrian refugees amplified pressures on already constrained water resources and associated infrastructure. Increased water withdrawals, illegal connections, and pollution from wastewater led to a reduction in water availability, and a reduction in water supply to host communities. The decline in basic services adversely impacted quality of life and escalated social tensions among local populations and refugees. Needs have surfaced for water supply and sanitation interventions/projects, at the level of host communities. The objective of this assessment is to identify needs and subsequent interventions by LWP that would improve communal water services and alleviate WASH related pressures and tensions on most vulnerable host communities in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon, the two geographical areas with the highest population of refugees and water stress. The aim of the report is to identify priority interventions to improve communal water services. This report:

• Describes the process and methodology of needs assessment conducted. It comprises an extensive review of existing literature, and meetings with CSOs, UN agencies, regional water establishments (RWEs), and municipalities for information collection and validation. The methodology and tools

used for assessing needs have helped LWP get an overview of needs and triangulate multiple sources of information in order to select priority projects that respond to the needs of host communities.

• Identifies and prioritizes needs related to water in partnership with the BWE and NLWE, municipal governments, international/local NGOs, and other stakeholders to improve services to impacted municipalities and communities. Within the list of identified needs in the Beqaa and Akkar (the targeted areas), LWP has identified projects that respond to the needs of host communities and are within the scope of LWP.

WATER A RESOURCE UNDER PRESSURE

INTRODUCTION

Water is a scarce resource in Lebanon. It is under increasing pressure because of over abstraction and pollution. Available quantities barely suffice local population let along refugees. Historically failing infrastructure is under increased pressure. The Syrian influx and the sudden massive increase in population both in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon have amplified demand on water, and intensified the production of untreated wastewater, and excessively strained infrastructure. RWEs and municipalities are failing under the added pressures and consequently, support is needed from the donor community for upgrading water services to host communities.

SCARCE RESOURCES AND FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE

The National Water Sector Strategy (NWSS) of Lebanon (2012) estimates that the available water per capita per year for 2015 is 839 m2, much below the established water poverty threshold of 1,000 m3/ca/year. The NWSS was published in 2012 and therefore the 2015 estimate of water availability did not take into account the increased water needs of Syrian refugees3. Hence, at present, actual water availability is lower than the already low NWSS estimate. The influx of Syrian refugees has led to an increase in population that was expected only in 20414. The added population of 1.5 million displaced Syrians5 caused a surge in water demand and the production of additional volumes of untreated wastewater. The following recent studies have quantified the above mentioned pressures:

• The World Bank Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) (2013) of Lebanon estimates that, “water supply and sanitation systems must now meet an additional water demand of 26.1 million mᵌ/year, equivalent to 7% of the pre-crisis demand”6.

• The Lebanon Environmental Assessment of the Syrian Conflict and Priority Interventions (2014) estimated that water demand resulting from the increased number of refugees, to be between 43 and 70 Million Cubic Meter (MCM) per year by the end of 20147. This incremental water demand corresponds to an increase of the national water demand between 8 to 12%8. The increase per region is as follows: Beqaa, 7.2 MCM/year, followed by Beirut and Mount Lebanon, at 5.68 MCM/year, the North at 4.46 MCM/year, and the South at 2.77 MCM/year9. Below is an illustrative map developed by the MoEW, United Nations High Committee for Refugees (UNHCR), and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that shows the distribution of water demand by refugees across the

2 “National Water Sector Strategy”. Ministry of Energy and Water. September 2012. Page 7 3 Ibid 4 “Lebanon Environmental Assessment for Syrian Conflict and Priority Interventions”. MOE/EU/UNDP, 2014. Page 4 5 “Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2015-2016”. GoL and UN. December 2015. Page 1 6 “Lebanon Economic and Social Impact Assessment of the Syrian Conflict”. World Bank. September 2013. Page 4. 7 Op.Cit “ Lebanon Environmental Assessment for the Syrian Conflict and Priority Interventions”. Page 4 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. Page 33

different cazas. The map explicitly indicates the heightened burden of the water sector that is falling on host communities in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon. Figure 1 - Distribution of Refugee's Water Demand across Cazas

According to the Lebanon Environmental Assessment for Syrian Conflict Priority interventions, in addition to shortages in resource availability, the Syrian refugee influx has had several impacts on the wastewater sector. Refugees contribute to an increase in wastewater generation between 26 and 43 MCM/year based on the May 2014 estimates of number of refugees. These figures are expected to reach between 34 and 56 MCM/year by the end of 2014. This increase corresponds to an increase in national wastewater generation rates between 8 and 14 percent with the Beqaa having the highest share10. Sewage discharge is a challenge in many host communities, especially in peripheral areas. A significant number of

10 Ibid. Page 65.

Syrian refugees live in informal settlements on agricultural lands where wastewater networks are absent. This makes it very difficult for municipalities to discharge the increasing amount of produced wastewater11 into existing systems. It also has an increased pollution impact on surface and groundwater, and in the absence of sufficient wastewater treatment facilities, it is reducing available water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use. Municipal solid waste has had its fair share in the reduction of available fresh water. Increased disposal of untreated municipal solid waste in open dumps and in river beds has contributed to the reduction of available water through leachate flow into surface and groundwater. The dump sites with the highest impact on groundwater contamination are mainly in Srar, Berqayel, Aadoui, Kfar zaina and Hamat in the North; Baalbeck, Taalbaya, Saadnayel, Barr Elias, Qabb Elias, Ghazze in the Beqaa; Ras el Ain and Kfar Tibnit in the South12.

CONSTRAINED REGIONAL WATER ESTABLISHMENTS

Law 221 and its amendments created four Regional Water Establishments: Beirut Mount Lebanon Water Establishment (BMLWE), NLWE, South Lebanon Water Establishment (SLWE), and BWE. RWEs were given the following responsibilities among others:

• Plan, build, operate, and maintain potable and irrigation water transmission and distribution networks as well as sewage treatment plants (STPs) and networks. • Ensure the quality of water supplied to their communities. RWEs faced infrastructural and institutional shortcomings even prior to the Syrian crisis, as described in the NWSS. The average overall performance of RWEs was at 50% and their ability to provide water to their consumers and treat the ensuing wastewater was, and still is, highly constrained. RWEs have major challenges related to infrastructure. Production of water is limited due to restricted resources and suboptimal exploitation, which are coupled with significant demand growth. Transmission and distribution is inefficient owing to poorly maintained systems and networks. This leads to high losses and supply interruptions. Finally, the coverage of wastewater networks is low and there is a severe shortage in treatment facilities. As a result of this communal water needs assessment, LWP will be helping the RWEs to alleviate some of these infrastructural burdens. As for institutional challenges, they pertain to financial, legal and regulatory, environmental, awareness, and sustainable management. To make matters worse, the influx of Syrian refugees is putting considerable pressure on the ability of the RWEs to fulfill their role and manage and deliver sufficient water to meet the needs of both Lebanese residents and refugees. Practically, Syrian refugees tend to use water resources through illegal connections or evade the payment of bills. As shown in Figure 2 below, the BWE and the NLWE, were already in 2013, confronted with 10 to 20% reduction in service with the obvious negative impact on water availability to host communities.

11 “The Syrian Crisis: Implications for Development Indicators and Development Planning- Lebanon”. UNDP. October 2012. Pages. 32 - 34 12 Op. Cit “Lebanon Environmental Assessment for the Syrian Conflict and Priority Interventions”. Pages 44,45.

Figure 2 - Syrian Refugees Impact

Regional Water Establishments BWE NLWE

Population in service area 2013 534,255 923,362

Nb. Of registered refugees Sept.2013 (UNHCR ) 216,000 210,000

Projected population growth over 5 years 9% 9%

% population growth in one year due to Syrian 40% 23% refugees

% increase in water production to cover the needs of 49% 35% registered refugees

% reduction in service coverage From 68% to 46 % From 57% to 46%

MUNICIPALITIES FACING HEAVY PRESSURES

Municipalities are at the forefront of engagement with Syrian refugees, and in parallel, they bear the load of their displeased communities. According to the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) published in 2015, the WASH sector is appealing for USD 231.4 million to respond to the needs of host communities and Syrian refugees13. This amount shows the magnitude of existing pressures. The UNDP Syrian Crisis report (October 2012) highlighted the fact that while most municipalities initially have limited resources, they have become strained by supplementary expenditures on operations that include maintenance works for water and sanitation. WASH related pressures are particularly acute in municipalities and communities in the Akkar region of Northern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, the main focus regions of this report. MOUNTING TENSIONS IN LEBANON Security has become a worrying challenge to municipalities. Tensions are mounting between Syrian refugees and host communities. In 2015, the conflict mapping and analysis projects in collaboration with UNDP has identified social tension incidents across Lebanon as illustrated in Figure 3. As clearly highlighted in Figure 3 below, the area with the highest occurrence of conflict is the Beqaa, followed by Beirut, the South, and then the North14. Tackling the vulnerable localities in the Beqaa may perhaps help reduce conflicts.

13 LCRP WASH sector response plan. 14 Map – Lebanon, a year in conflict CSKC

Figure 3 - Mapping of Conflict Incidents (2015) Map 1 Mapping of conflict incidents (2015)

THE GHAZZE SITUATION

CONCLUSION

Already scarce resources are becoming increasingly unavailable due to intensified demand, pollution with untreated waste, and overloaded infrastructure. RWEs and municipalities, limited in resources, are unable to meet the water demand and sanitation services of the local population, let alone those of the refugees. There is a need to provide support to RWEs (BWE and NLWE specifically) and selected most vulnerable municipalities so that pressures are alleviated, relieving both host communities and refugees. Interventions are much needed to increase water availability through efficient and sustainable management of the resource, and through improving sanitation services, reducing pollution reduction, and upgrading infrastructure.

FOCUS COMMUNITIES

INTRODUCTION

LWP has very limited resources allocated to support host communities. Consequently, LWP has prioritized interventions based on the vulnerability index of host communities as set by UNOCHA in 2015. Accordingly, focus communities have been selected among host communities classified as most vulnerable and second most vulnerable. In addition, LWP has focused its assessment on the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon because both regions suffer from a combination of vulnerability as determined by the UNOCHA and high water stress levels as determined by the MoE15.

DEFINITION OF MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

The UN Inter-Agency Coordination has assessed and mapped the presence of Syrian refugees over the Lebanese territory, and developed a vulnerability index for host communities. The most vulnerable and second most vulnerable communities were identified using the aforementioned assessment. The results are represented in the map below (UNOCHA, March 2015). Vulnerability was calculated using the following parameters:

• The Multi-Deprivation Index: it takes into account deprivation level scoring of households in five critical dimensions: a) access to health services, b) income level, c) access to education services, d) access to water and sanitation services, and e) housing conditions.

• The Lebanese Population Dataset: it is based on the Council of Development and Reconstruction (CDR) 2002.

• The Refugee Population Figures: they are based on the UNHCR database for Syrians as of November 2014, and on the American University Beirut (AUB)/United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) figure of 270,000 for Palestinian refugees. In total, UN agencies have identified 251 most vulnerable localities (2015 assessment) classified under five sections as illustrated in Figure 4 below: Figure 4 - "Most Vulnerable" Classification

Deprived Lebanese Refugees

Most vulnerable localities 35.8% 54.1%

2nd most vulnerable localities 12.8% 15.8%

3rd most vulnerable localities 7.6% 7.7%

4th most vulnerable localities 6.4% 5.4%

5th most vulnerable localities 4.9% 3.7%

15 Op.cit. “Lebanon Environmental Assessment for Syrian Conflict and Priority Interventions”. MoE/EU/UNDP. 2014. Page 61.

Figure 5 was used by LWP to select intervention communities. Figure 5 - 251 Most Vulnerable Localities in Lebanon (2015)

METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS

INTRODUCTION

Information and data from a multitude of sources was reviewed and analyzed for triangulation and for the determination of a final list of WASH needs of first and second most vulnerable communities. The section below describes the methodology used to identify and select the most suitable and adequate projects for LWP interventions.

METHODOLOGY

The assessment relied on the below components:

• Intensive literature review of existing assessments done by different projects, UN agencies, and CSOs, and business plans of the BWE and NLWE.

• Consultation meetings with CSOs, International Organizations, BWE, NLWE, municipalities in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon, and with MoEW.

Based on the methodology, the assessment approach can be described as follows: • Collection of data on projects needed from literature review and consultations with CSOs. • Triangulation of data with RWEs, MoEW, and municipalities. • Analysis and synthesis of information to develop a projects matrix with the relevant selection criteria. • Development of the final list of projects. LITERATURE REVIEW The following reports were reviewed by LWP as a source for identification of needs of host communities. The Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) 2015-2016 The Government of Lebanon along with the UN worked together on developing a multi-year plan to address the stabilization challenges of the country, while taking into account key protection and humanitarian issues, livelihoods, and country threats to security. The results of this work (mainly outcomes and no specific interventions) were compiled in a 2-year response plan report: the “Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP)”. The Rapid Assessment of Water Service Needs of Lebanese Communities Hosting Syrian Refugees and Emergency Preparedness of Water Establishments. (WISE-Lebanon) This report was drafted by The Water Infrastructure Support and Enhancement for Lebanon (WISE – Lebanon) program. WISE was a three-year activity funded by USAID with the objective of improving Lebanon’s capacity in the management of water resources through water infrastructure upgrades and related management support. USAID requested that WISE conduct a rapid assessment of the communities served by RWEs and affected by the Syrian Refugee Influx. The objective was to propose integrated interventions aiming at raising the capacities of the RWEs to cope with increasing water demand on local water resources caused by the Syrian crisis.

The UNDP Mapping of Risks and Resources in the Beqaa and North of Lebanon The Mapping of Risks and Resources (MRR) is a conflict sensitive needs assessment methodology adopted by Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and UNDP in order to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders at local level. The objective of MRRs was to propose solutions to identified risks and needs of host communities. LWP selected projects from the North and Beqaa MRRs sections pertaining to WASH within the most vulnerable communities. The BWE and NLWE Business Plans 2013 – 2017 In the past, Gescellshaft fur Internationale Zusmmenarbeit (GIZ) had worked with the four RWEs to develop and update their 5-year business plans. The plans included a focus on strategic objectives, water demand management analysis and forecast, performance improvement programs, organization structure and staffing plan, operation and maintenance budget forecast, and revenue needs and tariff analysis. The Naseej Committee Priority Project Report The Office of Transition Initiative (OTI) Program Lebanese Civic Support Initiative (LCSI) launched the Naseej project in 2013. The objective was to create a platform where Akkar residents, Lebanese and Syrian, can engage with local government and collectively identify community needs. Projects responding to recognized community needs were identified and published in a booklet that LWP relied on. The Women & Water Report: A survey of gender as it relates to water, sanitation and hygiene in Beqaa, Lebanon The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Balamand, Beirut and Care International has carried out a study in Zahle, West Beqaa, and Rashaya in order to better understand the relations between WASH and gender. The results were compiled in the Woman and Water Report. This report is the only reference identifying the specific needs of women in host and refugee communities.

CONSULTATION MEETINGS WITH CSOS, RWES AND MUNICIPALITIES Civil society organizations working in the WASH sector were selected based on the map (Figure 6) that was developed by UN agencies identifying the various actors in each Lebanese Caza16.

Figure 6 - CSOs Intervening in the WASH Sector in the Lebanese Cazas

16 WASH Sector. Inter-agency coordination. June 2015

LWP contacted around 35 CSOs, I/NGOs, and other organizations mostly working in the Beqaa and Northern Lebanon. Among those contacted were: World Vision, Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC), Intersos, Leb Relief, Action Against Hunger, SAWA Group (SAWA), Atayeb el Rif, Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), Solidarite Internationale, American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), Mercy Corps, MEDAIR Emergency Relief and Recovery (MEDAIR), Safadi Foundation, Akkar Network for Development (AND), Local Development Office (LDO), MADA Association (MADA), United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Organization for Church Charities (IOCC), LRC, Care International, Premiere Urgence (PU), UTOPIA, Oxfam., UNHCR, and UNDP (Further details can be found under Annex A). Meetings were held with the BWE, the NLWE and municipalities to discuss needs and validate the findings of this assessment. A long list of projects was prepared based on the literature review and these meetings. A draft of preliminary selection of projects in most vulnerable and second most vulnerable localities was discussed with the BWE, the NLWE and municipalities to validate the selected localities and projects.

FINDINGS

The findings are listed in three main sections that reflect our methodology for data and information collection and that come from: the literature review, the outcomes of the meetings with CSOs, municipalities, RWEs, and MoEW.

FINDINGS FROM THE LITERATURE REVIEW

The literature review, as shown below, identifies access to water as the number one priority for host communities, followed by the need for wastewater networks and treatment. Few entities also reported the need for irrigation projects. The LCRP has adopted sectors of intervention, instead of projects, in its appeal for donor funds. WASH relevant outcomes of the LCRP are listed below:

• Outcome 2: Provide access to safe water. • Outcome 3: Increase access to improved, sustainable, culturally, and gender appropriate sanitation services including wastewater management, vector control and mitigation of flood risks (storm water drainage) for target population. • Outcome 4: Mitigate impacts of the Syrian crisis on the environment in Lebanon, including on air quality and land use, and management of solid waste.

• Outcome 5: Maintain hygienic conditions. The USAID funded WISE project, the UNDP MRRs, the Business Plans of BWE and NLWE and the report of the NASEEJ Committees Priority Projects a prior USAID initiative led by Al- Hadatha Association, have identified specific infrastructure projects in different villages. These projects also focused on access to water, wastewater networks and treatment, irrigation and rain water collection and drainage. Just as in the LCRP, these projects consider access to water as the number one priority. In fact, 65% of the total projects focused on access to water, followed by 25% for wastewater networks. The rest (10%) were related to rain water drainage canals and irrigation. Projects identified through the literature review are listed in Annex B. As for The “Women and Water” report of CARE International and the University of Balamand, it also clearly identifies access to water as a priority need of the women populations of host communities and Syrian refugees. According to this report, the lack of water availability has increased financial and family time burdens on households. Women spend family time and money trying to either find or purchase water. They are not able to wash properly, a critical concern during menstrual periods. In addition, polluted water has led to the spread of disease in women and children, and wasteful use of water could be the source of dispute between husbands and wives, triggering domestic conflict.

FINDINGS FROM THE CONSULTATION MEETINGS

FINDINGS FROM CONSULTATIONS WITH CSOS Specific assessments, by CSOs, related to the need of host communities are practically inexistent. This fact was reinforced during a meeting with UNICEF, where the Senior WASH Specialist (Water Scarcity and Stabilization), Mrs. Sarah Bish, confirmed the scarcity of reports pertaining to Host Communities. The assessments conducted by CSOs covered only the WASH needs of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, such as assessments conducted by the Action Contre la Faim (ACF) “Humanitarian Response to the Syrian refugees” (2012) in Beqaa, the ACTED “Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese households” (2012) in the North of Lebanon, and the CISP “WASH Assessment report for North and South

Lebanon” (2012). Despite this lack of information, LWP was able to explore the few findings available that were determined by the CSOs working within the identified most vulnerable communities in Beqaa and Akkar. LDO conducted a screening of needs in Akkar, which included five of the most vulnerable areas in North of Lebanon. Leb Relief and SAWA identified needs of host communities through local committees that they established. Additionally, the Lebanese Red Cross reported that they have observed similar needs between Syrian refugees and host communities in the areas where they operate. NGOs, such as World Vision, relied on the business plans of RWEs and needs lists provided by municipalities to determine interventions with host communities. All these identified needs, however, have not been published in official reports. For this reason, LWP team decided to validate the gathered data through site visits in order to gain a better understanding of the actual situation and reach its own conclusions. Following the literature review and the meetings with CSOs, and armed with a list of 89 identified projects, the LWP team then conducted meetings and site visits with the RWE, municipalities, and the MoEW. Details of the identified projects can be found in Annex C. FINDINGS FROM CONSULTATIONS WITH MUNICIPALITIES In addition to the meetings with CSOs, LWP met with a number of municipalities in order to validate the findings from the literature review, and explore further needs within these communities. Through these meetings the LWP team gained insight as to the impact of the Syrian refugees on local communities. Below are the most important findings from these consultations:

• The number of Syrian refugees reported by municipalities was always higher than UNHCR’s recorded numbers.

• In most cases, the municipalities are not prepared to handle such crisis, as they do not have the proper know-how to comprehensively assess their needs and report back to the government and/or donor agencies.

• As mentioned previously in the literature review section, municipalities are faced with overwhelming responsibilities, such as collecting the solid waste and wastewater of refugees, while prior to the crisis, their infrastructure barely allowed them to handle their local community needs.

• Some municipalities reported complete disconnection with RWEs, since they are, themselves managing water supply and maintenance in their communities. Other municipalities reported an insufficient level of communication with RWEs.

• Some municipalities did not have adequate information on the distribution and separation of roles and responsibilities between them and the RWEs. Facilitating closer communications between the RWEs and these municipalities is a definite necessity. LWP will take into account these findings while executing and implementing the identified projects. FINDINGS FROM CONSULTATIONS WITH RWES In order to identify the priority interventions of RWEs as it pertains to improved communal water services within host communities, LWP met with both the BWE and NLWE. The outcome of these meetings for LWP was that NLWE identified Akkar, Majdlaya, Abou Samra Tripoli, Markebta and Minie, as priority localities for intervention. Similarly, BWE identified Ghazzeh, Taalabaya, Saadnayel, and Qabb Elias as priority areas of intervention. FINDINGS FROM CONSULTATIONS WITH MOEW As part of its assessment process, LWP consulted with MoEW for the identification of projects. The ministry had developed its own vulnerability index and shared the list of the most vulnerable localities with LWP. When comparing it to the UN identified list, underprivileged communities were the same. Additionally, the advisor to the minister stated that the most vulnerable localities are over-served by a

multitude of donor agencies, while other areas are being disregarded. Projects identified as needs by MoEW can be found in Annex D.

SYNTHESIS FROM FINDINGS

NEEDS IDENTIFICATION PROCESS Sustainable and integrated water resources management warrant the engagement of stakeholders in the decision making process. When conducting their assessments, most agencies and CSOs (and funding for implementation) focused mainly on the needs of Syrian refugees and ignored, for the most part, the needs of host communities. Also, in cases such as the MRRs which were conducted in vulnerable communities, the needs of host communities were identified based on and in relation to the existence of refugees, and with the perspective of alleviating pressures resulting from the presence of refugees.

Lebanon Relief Council (LRC) were identified as a unique case, operating at a grass roots level, while maintaining a strong partnership with NLWE. LRC has worked mainly on the needs of the local population. They have engaged people in the poorest suburbs of Tripoli through meetings with each and every concerned citizen. Representative committees were elected by the community at large. These committees help the NLWE and the municipality in identifying priority needs and in engaging the population during implementation of projects so that barriers to execution are removed. A close involvement of local population in water management has shown high success in the selection and implementation of WASH related projects.

INVOLVED STAKEHOLDERS CSOs, International Organizations, municipalities, and RWEs were all involved and cooperated, to different extents, in the needs identification process. This involvement is seen at the RWEs level and the municipalities level.

• At the RWEs level, and when it comes to implementing water related interventions, especially access to water and wastewater, implementing organizations are collaborating with RWEs. This collaboration is guided by law 221 that gave the RWEs the oversight over water management in the five Mouhafazat of Lebanon. Hence, most of international organizations are coordinating with BWE and NLWE for their operations all over Lebanon in general and within the most vulnerable host communities in particular. Namely UNICEF, ACF, Solidarite Internationale, Leb Relief, ACTED, IOCC, Care International, Oxfam, and PU are in close coordination with RWEs. Finally, it was most obvious that both BWE and NLWE fully understood these communal needs and had identified mitigating measures and solutions, which could be implemented.

• At the municipal level, local CSOs have a close collaboration with the local authorities represented by the municipal councils within the most vulnerable areas. Organizations with a significant collaboration with municipalities were: AND, LDO, SAWA, UTOPIA, Leb Relief. Contrary to the RWEs, while fully aware of their needs, these municipalities were unsure about solutions and remedies.

• Another important finding is the fact that some INGOs such as ACF and Care International Lebanon (CIL) are in the process of identifying the most suitable approach to engage with both municipalities and RWEs and bridge the gap between those two local authorities.

• Most NGOs have mentioned the current need to scale up the level of work with host communities especially with the current shift in approach from relief to stabilization. IDENTIFIED PRIORITY NEEDS The main focus of this needs assessment, as dictated by the nature of the LWP project, is water. Identified projects relate to water supply, wastewater treatment, irrigation, and rainwater drainage.

Of the 89 identified projects, 65% were related to access to water and 25% are for wastewater. The remaining projects addressed irrigation and awareness raising. Thus, the main needs identified can be summarized as follows:

• Access to water: it was clear that access to water, as identified in the literature review, and meetings with CSOs, RWEs and municipalities, was the main concern for the host communities.

• Wastewater disposal systems: these systems were in second place followed by the need to have access to proper wastewater disposal systems.

• Very few projects pertain to the needs of the agricultural sector. Based on these needs, LWP applied its selection criteria in order to sort and chose projects from the list of 89. The outcome of the refined list resulted in the identification of seven potential projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS

Following the literature review and consultation, LWP had two recommendations for future actions:

• Institutionalize civic engagement and local participatory water resource planning and management in the RWEs.

• Build the capacity of municipalities in strategic integrated water resource management. These recommendations are detailed below. INSTITUTIONALIZE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT The MoEW and the RWEs should build on the civic engagement momentum created by the Syrian crisis and institutionalize a process of participatory planning of water resources. In fact, one of the positive outcomes of the Syrian crisis and the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon was the initiation of a previously inexistent, public consultation process for the identification of needs. This process brought together, populations, municipalities, RWEs, CSOs, line ministries, international organizations, and the donor community. With the support of CSOs and other stakeholders, it is prime time to strengthen the engagement of RWEs with municipalities and through them, their communities involving them in determining needs under the umbrella of integrated management of water resources. Municipalities are the interface between water users and RWEs and they have shown eagerness to get involved in any which way possible to improve access to water and sanitation. Participatory planning and management of water resources has proven its success globally and currently in Lebanon, it is opportune to institutionalize it. As an example, and although still embryonic, the experience of bottom-up engagement of the population by LRC and the creation of representative committee has been successful. It has shown the positive impact of participation in planning, and especially implementing water related infrastructure project. Lebanon can build on such successful experiences in the region and globally. BUILD THE CAPACITY OF MUNICIPALITIES IN STRATEGIC INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT The current process of needs and project identification by municipalities is closer to a wish list than to a strategic plan that takes into consideration resource availability and its sustainable management. The Syrian crisis took the municipalities by surprise. It exposed their incapacity to properly identify needs even within their constituency without international support. Strategic planning and programming of needs and projects should be at the core of municipal work and not just in response to emergencies. The process of engagement between CSOs, municipalities and RWEs that was triggered by the Syrian crisis should be developed into a long term partnership between RWEs and municipalities. Municipalities can provide support to RWEs in increasing the number of subscribers and the payment of fees, and in parallel identify and communicate needs.

For this reason, this process should be institutionalized and the capacity of municipalities built accordingly. At this point, municipal needs and subsequent plans can be used by Ministries, RWEs, international donors and organizations to provide prioritized support to local governments. This capacity building approach should be expanded to all municipalities in Lebanon and form coherent strategic plans, ensuring proper water and sanitation services in normal and potential crisis situations with a strong perspective on resources needed to implement them.

PROPOSED PROJECTS

INTRODUCTION

This section details the selection process of projects. The first segment describes the selection criteria though which projects were assessed in order to develop the short list. A compiled matrix of solutions follows the selection criteria. It is a list of all the identified projects and their relevant scores. The last section “proposed projects” is the final shortlist of interventions s to be further evaluated for feasibility by LWP.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All proposed projects identified through literature review and meetings with CSOs, RWEs, and municipalities are needed to improve water services in most vulnerable communities in Lebanon. However, given the limited resources and time available, LWP will be selecting at least six projects for implementation. The selection will be based on specific criteria that reflect the mandate of LWP and focus areas. Infrastructure projects will be complemented with interventions with relevant municipalities and populations. Following are the project selection criteria used by LWP:

• Falls within one or more LWP thematic areas: - Improve service delivery and resource management capacity by the five public water utilities; - Improve civic engagement in water management and advance citizens’ perception of water utilities’ role in providing a necessary and valuable service; - Improve private sector involvement in water management. • Falls within the most vulnerable localities identified by UNOCHA. • Benefits number of beneficiaries with a focus on gender equality. • Fulfills the needs of and/or is approved by BWE and NLWE. • Accepted by the local population. • Reflects a high cost/benefit ratio. • Falls within the bracket of allocated budget of LWP: Between USD 100,000 and USD 300,000. • Sustainable environmentally and financially beyond the life of the project. • Demonstrates an innovative approach. • Reduces water consumption and increases water availability. • Fulfills all legal and basic requirements. • Possibility of cost sharing/matching by municipalities and/or NGOs or other donors. • Does not fall in a high security risk area. Among the above mentioned criteria there are four pass/fail criteria. Projects failing any of these would not be considered for implementation.

Figure 7 details the Pass and Fail criteria: Figure 7 - Pass/Fail Criteria

Selection Criteria Pass Fail

Fall within the thematic areas of Falls within the thematic areas of Does not fall within the thematic LWP (P/F) LWP areas of LWP Legal Requirements (ex: deed...) Basic and legal requirements are A project is considered (P/F) satisfied complicated if: 1. Falls within an area where previous projects were unsuccessful 2. Requires expropriation 3. For wastewater projects, there is no wastewater treatment plant that the network can connect to 4. Is low impact and does not justify procurement overheads 5. Overlaps with CDR areas of intervention 6. Any additional complication that arises during the project examination and is justified and deemed as complicated by LWP technical and /or infrastructure team Does not fall in high risk security Does not fall in high risk security Falls within the following high areas (P/F) areas risk security areas: Arsal, Brital, Baalbek, Southern Suburbs of Beirut, Northern border areas17 Within allocated budget (P/F) Falls within the allocated budget Falls below or above the (between 100,000 USD and 300,000 allocated budget USD)

17 http://lebanon.usembassy.gov

In addition to the pass/fail criteria, the project selection has nine rated criteria. Figure 8 explains in detail the rating scales. Figure 8 - Rating Scales

Rate

Criteria 0 1 2 3 4 5 # of Serves less Serves Serves Serves Serves Serves more beneficiaries than 50 between 50 between 500 between between than 10,000 (0-5) beneficiaries and 500 and 2,000 2,000 to 5,000 and beneficiaries beneficiaries beneficiaries 5,000 10,000 beneficiaries beneficiaries Gender Completely Target Targets Targets Has a Focuses Equality (0-5) overlooks women's Women women dedicated entirely on gender needs as part through through component women's equality of the general access to access to targeting needs community water water and women's projects wastewater needs projects Environment Is not Is sustainable Is sustainable N/A N/A N/A ally and sustainable only both financially beyond the environment environment sustainable life of the ally but not ally and beyond the project financially financially life of the beyond the beyond the project (0-2) life of the life of the project project Improves Does not Improves Improves N/A N/A N/A water and tackle water either water both water wastewater and or wastewater and services (0-2) wastewater services wastewater services services Reduces Does not Tackles Tackles both N/A N/A N/A water tackle either water water consumption reducing consumption consumption and increases water or water and water water consumption availability availability availability or increasing (0-2) water availability Is approved Is not Is approved Is a priority N/A N/A N/A by BWE and approved by by BWE or for BWE or NLWE (0-2) BWE or NLWE NLWE NLWE

Is accepted Community Community Community N/A N/A N/A by local was not was identified the population consulted for consulted for need for the (0-2) project project project identification identification

Rate

Criteria 0 1 2 3 4 5 Is innovative Is not Is Innovative N/A N/A N/A N/A (0-1) innovative (includes propositions such as solar panels, alternative sources of energy, …) Cost sharing There is no There is a N/A N/A N/A N/A possibility possibility for possibility for (0-1) cost sharing cost sharing

COMPILED MATRIX OF SOLUTIONS

The below matrix (Figure 9) compiles all the projects that were proposed in the most vulnerable communities, gathered from the literature review and the consultations. Additionally, the matrix includes the above mentioned selection criteria that will lead to project selection. PROJECTS SUMMARY Having the first and second most vulnerable host communities as a priority; LWP was able to identify the need for 43 projects in the Beqaa and 46 in the North of Lebanon. Of the 89 projects identified, only seven passed the above detailed selection criteria. Reasons for projects failure can be summarized as follows:

• Five projects failed because they do not fall within the thematic areas of LWP.

• Twenty-eight projects failed because they do not satisfy basic and legal requirements. Reasons for complications are the following: eight projects failed because of previous bad experience with Lebanon Water and Wastewater Sector Support (LWWSS) project in Bebnin; seven cannot be realized because there is no wastewater treatment plant; five projects need expropriation; four projects are low impact and do not justify procurement overhead and design cost; one project is pertaining to CDR areas of intervention; and one failed because of the available land is not suitable for the project.

• Seventeen projects failed because they fall in high risk security areas.

• Forty-two projects failed because they fall below or beyond the allocated budget limits for the projects: 10 projects fall below the pre-set budget limit and 33 projects are beyond the allocated budget limits for the projects as per the above selection criteria. Below are the details of the initial screening conducted for the first and second most vulnerable localities.

Figure 9– Bekaa Most Vulnerable Localities Projects

Project description Selection criteria

Estimated Budget Fall within the thematic Can be implemented quickly without Does not fall in high risk Within Allocated budget Proposed Project Targeted population (USD) areas of LWP (P/F) complications (P/F) security areas (P/F) (P/F) WISE: New reservoir, new well, and water 6,400,000.00 13,501.00 P P P F supply network

Municipality: Water reservoir with solar 500,000.00 13,501.00 P P P F system pumps and connection networks Qabb Elias Wetland Union of Municipalities: 262500.00 3,500.00 P P P P between Qabb Elias, Makse, and Mrayjet

BWE: Complete the distribution network 6,000,000.00 Not Available P P P F

F (Location of wetland is over an old Wetland for wastewater Municipality: 300,000.00 2,000.00 P solid waste dump area, another project P P treatment and reuse of water in irrigation might be identified at a later stage)

Irrigation canal with a full Municipality: 500,000.00 Not Available P P P F system for the farmers

Municipality: Water connections from Taalabaya 400,000.00 Not Available P P P F main pipelines installed by the BWE

Municipality: Lifting station that will pump the wastewater to the Fayda Not Available Not Available P F (Expropriation) P Not Available wastewater treatment plants WISE: 2 wells and related water supply networks and infrastructure (one for 10,000,000.00 32,023.00 P P P F Taalabaya and one for Saadnayel) WISE: 2 wells and related water supply Saadnayel networks and infrastructure (one for 10,000,000.0 0 32,023.00 P P P F Taalabaya and one for Saadnayel) Municipality: Equip an existing well and Barr Elias 300,000.00 130,000.00 P P P P install a solar system UNDP: Extension of the drinking water 100,000.00 Not Available P P F P network Aarsal UNDP: Construction of irrigation canal in order to irrigate the 5000 fruitful plants 7,500.00 Not Available P P F F provided by UNDP

Project description Selection criteria

Estimated Budget Fall within the thematic Can be implemented quickly without Does not fall in high risk Within Allocated budget Proposed Project Targeted population (USD) areas of LWP (P/F) complications (P/F) security areas (P/F) (P/F) UNDP: Construction of a water drainage canal in Al Wadi neighborhood- Al Saha 156,400.00 Not Available P P F P (400 m length) UNDP: Completion of a sewage network (40% remaining) in all Britel neighborhoods 720,000.00 Not Available P P F F (14800 m)

UNDP: Completion of the water drainage network (1600 m length) for some areas 382,280.00 Not Available P P F F that are not yet linked to the network

Britel BWE: New well and equipment in Osaira Not Available Not Available P P F Not Available

BWE: Transmission line from Bsateen well Not Available Not Available P P F Not Available to Baalbeck reservoir (rehab of a well)

UNDP: Construction of sewage network 847,282.00 Not Available P P F F for 14596 m length

UNDP: Construction of a sewage pipe line from Al Zein coffee shops to Al Madina 54,600.00 Not Available P P F F coffee shop

Figure 10 – Bekaa Second Most Vulnerable Localities Projects

Project description Selection criteria

UNDP: Completion of the sewage network En Nabi in some areas of Nabbi Shiit: south area and 237,000.00 Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) F P Chit Al Nabbi Shiit dispensary

WISE: Development and equipment of a Borehole 150m deep & connect it to the Temnine existing transmission line - (well 400,000.00 9,653.00 P P P F et Tahta digging=175,000 USD, well equip 175,000 USD, line 50,000 USD)

WISE: Water supply network - (reservoir 350,000.00 8,392.00 P P P F present rehabilitated by UNICEF)

UNDP: Construct new water tanks Not Available 8,392.00 P P P F

Install a potable water refinery UNDP: Not Available 8,392.00 P F P Not Available plant Rayak

UNDP: Establish a collection pond Not Available Not Available P F (Expropriation) P Not Available

UNDP: Establish a wastewater refinery F (Expropriation and compliance with Not Available 8,392.00 P P Not Available plant master plan)

Complete the BWE / World Vision: 250,000.00 250.00 P P P P Rayak water distribution network

Project description Selection criteria

UNDP: Establish a hill lake Not Available Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) P Not Available

UNDP: Rehabilitate the sewage system and Not Available Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) P Not Available establish a refinery plant

UNDP: Renewal of the sewage network 800,000.00 Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) P F (16000 m)

UNDP: Construct a new sewage network length 10000 m in order to connect the 500,000.00 Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) P F households

UNDP: Construct a drainage network of rain water , 1Length 3518 m in different 175,000.00 5,000.00 P P P P areas of Al Marej

UNDP: Provide alternative submersibles as Not Available 825.00 P F (Low impact project) P Not Available a reserve for each well

UNDP: Provide generators (300 HP) for 400,000.00 Not Available P F (Availability of land for solar system) P F Kfar Zabad each well (solar energy)

UNDP: Establish a sewage network Not Available Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) P Not Available

UNDP: Construct a winter drainage canals 400,000.00 Not Available P P P F (3000 m length) in all Ghazze roads

UNDP: Link houses to potable water 250,000.00 250.00 P F (Low impact project) P P network (2,500 m)

Ghazze Municipality: Equip available well 300,000.00 33,000.00 P P P P and install a solar system

UNDP: Construct a canal for water drainage for the main road : Excavations 95,000.00 Not Available P P P F 1000 m3; reinforced concrete 400 m3; iron grilles 60*60 m, 100 units UNDP: Construct a sewer pipe line on the main road from the house of Sheikh Low Number of F (Low impact and serves a small number 28,290.00 P P F Wissam Abdel Baki to the old road Lala to Beneficiaries of population) the house of Jihad Kashour

Project description Selection criteria

Estimated Budget Fall within the thematic Can be implemented quickly without Does not fall in high risk Within Allocated Proposed Project Targeted population (USD) areas of LWP (P/F) complications (P/F) security areas (P/F) budget (P/F) UNDP: Rehabilitate an artesian well F (Low budget does not justify (replacement of pump, electricity with 19,000.00 Not Available P P F procurement) protection etc)

UNDP: Equip (pump and other installation) a well for the waste sorting 15,000.00 Not Available P P P F plant

Figure 11 – North Most Vulnerable Localities Projects

Project description Selection criteria

WISE: Abi Samra - Implement secondary and tertiary water supply networks 2.5 km 800,000.00 4,600.00 P P P F including HH connections

UTOPIA: 260 water filters for Et Not Available 260.00 P F (Low impact project) P Not Available Tabbaneh and Souk el Khodra

UTOPIA: 300 water tanks in Et Tabbaneh, F (Unknown source of Not Available 300.00 F (Low impact project) P Not Available Tripoli Jabal Mohsin, El Qobbe water)

UTOPIA: 10 water points in El Qobbe Not Available Not Available F (Contradicts with NLWE) P P Not Available

UTOPIA: Rehabilitate 500 households in 90,000.00 500.00 P F (Low impact project) P F Et Tabbaneh and El Qobbe

NLWE: El Qobbe: 6000 m of new 600,000.00 Not Available P P P F extension needed

LDO: Sewage pits Not Available Not Available P P F Not Available

Mhamara LDO: Complete the wastewater network Not Available Not Available P F (No wastewater treatment plant) F Not Available

Naseej: Procurement of water tank trucks 30,000.00 24,648.00 P P F Not Available for Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees

Project description Selection criteria

UNDP: Expand the sewage system Not Available Not Available P P P Not Available

UNDP: Activate the studies available with the Municipality concerning water Not Available Not Available F (UNDP specific project) P P Not Available networks El Beddaoui UNDP: Construct water tanks Not Available Not Available P F (Low impact project) P Not Available

UNDP: Constant cleaning of roads Not Available Not Available F (Municipality’s role) P P Not Available

NLWE: Network is old, needed Machta 25000 m extension, network 2,500,000.00 1,122.00 P P F F Hammoud project is under preparation

NLWE: Phase 1 - 6000 m of new extensions for the cost of 600,000 US F (Previous bad experience with Phase 2 - Pump station line for a 2,500,000.00 5,060.00 P P F LWWSS) cost of 1,600,000 USD Phase 3 - 1 new reservoir for the cost of 300,000 USD

F (Previous bad experience with NLWE: New well needed Not Available Not Available P P Not Available LWWSS)

Bebnine Naseej: 1- Organize a cleanup campaign for the spring and its surroundings 2- Conduct an awareness campaign F (Previous bad experience with targeting all residents on how to 32,259.00 49,000.00 P P F LWWSS) protect the spring from pollution 3- Build a wall and a fence around the spring to prevent waste disposal Establish a sewer and Naseej: F (Previous bad experience with drainage system in al-Harik 160,000.00 49,000.00 P P P LWWSS) neighborhood

Project description Selection criteria

Rehabilitate the catchment UNDP: F (Previous bad experience with infrastructure for Ain el mafjar Not Available Not Available P P Not Available LWWSS) water source and build a basin

UNDP: Cover the canal (4km) covering the two sectors of F (Previous bad experience with Bebnine in order to prevent the Not Available Not Available P P Not Available LWWSS) smells and to facilitate access of clean water to cultivated lands

Bebnine : Build a sewage network in F (Previous bad experience with UNDP Not Available Not Available P P Not Available Abdeh LWWSS)

UNDP: Build a sewage network in F (Previous bad experience with Bebnine (Maslakh el Harik section) Not Available 5,060.00 P P Not Available LWWSS) 120 housing units

NLWE: Phase 1 - 2000 m in new extension needed for the cost of Cheikh 200,000 USD 1,000,000.00 660.00 P P P F Taba Phase 2 - Pump station with transmission line for the cost of 800,000 USD

UNDP: Connect Rajm Issa (220 housing units) to the sewage Not Available Not Available P P F Not Available network (2071m)

UNDP: Construction of a treatment plant: Aamayer Find a solution to the wastewater from 5 village in wadi khaled area with total of 17000 population (Lebanese and Syrian ) and reduce Not Available 17,000 P F (Area for intervention with CDR) F Not Available the causing of pollution, diseases and water contamination, especially with the number of population doubling after many waves of Syrian influx

Project description Selection criteria

LDO: Need for a water supply network with household Not Available Not Available P P F Not Available connections

WISE: Ayrouniye, Majdlaya - Implement secondary and tertiary 2,500,000.00 19,320.00 P P P F water supply networks 25 km including HH connections NLWE: Phase 1 - 4200m of new extensions needed for the cost of 4,200,000 USD Majdlaya Pjase 2 - new well needed for the 5,300,000.00 Not Available P P P F cost of 800,000 USD Phase 3- 1 new reservoir for the cost of 300,000 USD WISE: Mejdlaya - Implement secondary and tertiary water supply 250,000.00 9,200.00 P P P P networks 2.5 km including HH connections Markebta - New well WISE: 300,000.00 4,600.00 P F (Expropriation) P P development

Al Samak - Catchment of WISE: 500,000.00 30,360.00 P P P F Minie Al Samak spring

WISE: Replacement of transmission line from existing 5,600,000.00 30,360.00 P P P F Asbestos to DI

Figure 12 – North Second Most Vulnerable Localities Projects

Project description Selection criteria

Fall within the Does not fall in high Estimated Budget Targeted Can be implemented quickly Within Allocated Proposed Project thematic areas of LWP risk security areas (USD) population without complications (P/F) budget (P/F) (P/F) (P/F)

Mazraat Jabal NLWE: 4000 m of new extensions 400,000.00 926.00 P P P F Akroum

NLWE: 15000 m of new extensions 15,000,000.00 825.00 P P P F Pump station with NLWE: 400,000.00 825.00 P P P F Khirbet ej transmission line Jendi NLWE: Reservoir 300,000.00 825.00 P F (Low impact project) P P

Naseej: Digg an artesian well and 120,000.00 10,000.00 P F (Expropriation) P P establish a water network

NLWE: 6000 m of new extensions 600,000.00 5,775.00 P P P F Pump station with NLWE: 50,000.00 5,775.00 P P P F transmission line Fnaideq Complete the sewage Naseej: 859,000.00 32,400.00 P P P F network and installing water refinery Build a reservoir for potable Naseej: 250,000.00 32,400.00 P P P P water Connecting Joz spring to NLWE: 200,000.00 4,157.00 P P P P Akkar el water tanks by gravity Aatika NLWE: New well needed 800,000.00 4,157.00 P P P F Bakhaou Naseej: Rehabilitate the sewage 100,000.00 9,000.00 P F (No wastewater treatment plant) P P n system WISE: Elevated Reservoir 50,000.00 2,760.00 P P P F Zgharta NLWE: 40,000 m of new extensions 4,000,000.00 Not Available P P P F

PROPOSED PROJECTS

All the projects that passed all selection criteria are: Figure 13 - Proposed Projects

Project description Selection criteria Environmentally & Improves Reduces water Fulfill the Is accepted Cost # of Gender financially sustainable water and consumption and needs of BWE by local Is sharing Cost beneficiaries Equality beyond the life of the wastewater increases water and NLWE (0- population innovative possibility Benefit Rating out Proposed Project (0-5) (0-5) project (0-2) services (0-2) availability (0-2) 2) (0-2) (0-1) (0-1) Ration of 22

Barr Elias Municipality: Equip an existing well and 2.3 install a solar system 5 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 USD/Person 16

Union of Municipalities: Wetland between 75 USD / Qabb Elias Qabb Elias, Makse, and Mrayjet 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 Person 16

Rayak BWE: Completion of Rayak water 29.79 distribution network 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 0 0 USD/Person 11

Construction of drainage network of El Marej UNDP: winter water 1Length 3518 m in different 35 areas of Al Marej 4 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 USD/Person 12 Ghazze Municipality: Equip available well, Ghazze construct water reservoir and install a solar 9.09 system 5 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 USD/Person 16 WISE: Reduction of pump station size at the Majdlaya Kadi spring, rehabilitation of Majdlaya 27.17 USD/ network 4 2 2 1 2 2 1 0 0 Person 14

Akkar el Aatika NLWE: Connecting Joz spring to water 48.11 USD/ tanks by gravity 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 Person 11

LWP Lebanon Water Project Tel: +961 1 890 477 Fax: +961 1 890 485

SELECTION RATIONALE

The selected projects are listed below in order of priority: Following the pass/fail criteria, the rated criteria were utilized to prioritize the identified projects. As per the above table, Qabb Elias, Barr Elias, and Ghazze have the highest scores mainly because they serve the largest number of population among Lebanese and Syrian refugees. Additionally, both projects are environmentally and financially sustainable, and they will be providing access to water for two of the most vulnerable communities in the Beqaa area. Barr Elias is hosting around 50,000 Lebanese and 120,000 Syrian refugees. Ghazze is hosting 7,000 Lebanese and 33,000 Syrian refugees. Both projects are accepted by BWE and both projects were identified by the local communities. Providing additional water sources for these villages through the equipping of wells and the installation of solar systems to offset electricity costs would help in granting access to water for more than 150,000 Lebanese and Syrian refugees living in these two villages. As for the wetland in Qabb Elias, it will serve around 3,500 Lebanese and Syrian refugees living in the area. This project will collect the wastewater from parts of Qabb Elias, Makse, and El Marej neighborhoods. The proposed wetland will improve wastewater services, reduce pollution in the Litani River, and increase water availability to farmers since the resulting treated wastewater can be used in irrigation. The project in Majdlaya, Northern Lebanon, will serve a large number of Lebanese and Syrian refugees, 30,000 and 3,400, respectively. It primarily consists of refurbishing the pump station at the Kadi spring and rehabilitating the old Majdlaya network. It will help NLWE provide access to safe water for citizens, while reducing non-revenue water. This project is a priority for NLWE and accepted by the local community. El Marej is home for around 3,300 Lebanese citizens and 15,200 Syrian refugees. The project consists of constructing a water drainage network for rain water. The last two passing projects are Rayak and Akkar el Aatika. Rayak’s project consists of completing a water distribution network that will serve approximately 200 Lebanese and 50 Syrian refugees. It is considered a priority for BWE and the local community. As for the Akkar el Aatika’s project, it consists of connecting the Joz spring to water tanks by gravity. This project is expected to benefit around 18,000 Lebanese citizen and 3,100 Syrian refugees.

LWP can implement the first six identified projects that were considered as feasible. Additional investigations of feasibility will be conducted starting with the highest rated project, through the lowest rated one. However, being able to implement 6 out of the 7 identified projects is considered too optimistic. As a contingency plan, and in the event of failure of some of the pre-selected seven projects, there is a possibility for LWP to consider other projects that passed the initial criteria and that are categorized under the third most vulnerable localities listed below. Beqaa contingency projects 1. Maalaka: Implementation of Sadaka transmission line. Northern Lebanon contingency projects 1. Mishmish: Installation of 3,000 m of water distribution network.

LWP Lebanon Water Project Tel: +961 1 890 477 Fax: +961 1 890 485

2. Hrar: Installation of 3,000 m of water distribution network. 3. Rahbe: Rehabilitation of an existing well and construction of a lift-line for an existing pump station. 4. Tikrit: Construction of a new reservoir. 5. Tikrit: Installation of 2,500 m of new water supply network. 6. Beqaa Sefrine: Water supply and distribution network. 7. Jdaidet el Qaitaa: Installation of 3,000 m of water distribution network. CONCLUSION

This exercise has allowed LWP to identify the need for 162 projects within the most vulnerable localities in Lebanon. Even though the lifetime and budget of the project would allow the implementation of only six out of the total identified projects, this document and its annexes can serve as a map for much needed projects in the most underprivileged and vulnerable areas in Lebanon.

LWP Lebanon Water Project Tel: +961 1 890 477 Fax: +961 1 890 485

ANNEX A: TABLE OF MEETINGS WITH INGOS AND MUNICIPALITIES

Name of Date of Person Phone Email Organization meeting contacted Number LebRelief March 24, Council 2016 Atayeb Al Rif April 1, 2016

Action Against April 4, 2016 Hunger Akkar Network April 5, 2016 for Development ANERA April 5, 2016

SAWA April 5, 2016 MADA April 6, 2016

IOCC April 8, 2016 Lebanese Red April 12, Cross 2016 Care April 13, International 2016 Premiere April 14, Urgence 2016 Oxfam April 25, 2016 Taalabaya May 12, 2016 Saadnayel May 12, 2016 Qabb Elias May 12, 2016 Ghazze June 15, 2016 NLWE June 16, 2016 Barr Elias August 10, 2016 El Marej August 10, 2016 Fnaideq August 11, 2016

LWP Lebanon Water Project Tel: +961 1 890 477 Fax: +961 1 890 485

Name of Date of Person Phone Email Organization meeting contacted Number Akkar El Aatika August 11, 2016 Majdlaya August 11, 2016

ANNEX B: PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH LITERATURE REVIEW

PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH WISE REPORT

Area Village name Project Description

Beqaa Qabb Elias New reservoir complete / need a new well / and water supply network

Beqaa Saadnayel and Taalabaya 2 wells and related water supply networks & infrastructure

North El Qobbe Equipment of Mahfoura Well in El Qobbeh/ Jabal Mouhsen / Tripoli

North Majdlaya Well digging & equipment in Fouwar and in Nabaa al Kadi service area / Zgharta

North Majdlaya Water supply & distribution network / Ayrouniyeh

North Majdlaya Rehabilitation of a pumping station in Mehdalaya

North Minie Catchment of Al Samak Spring

North Minie 2 transmission lines, 8 inch each.

PROJECTS IDENTIFIED MOSA/ UNDP MAPPING OF RISKS AND RESOURCES (MRR)

Area Municipality Needs

Beqaa Aarsal Extend the drinking water network

Beqaa Aarsal Construct an irrigation canal in order to irrigate the 5000 fruitful plants provided by UNDP

Beqaa Baalbek Complete the rain water drainage network (1600 m

Area Municipality Needs length) for some areas that are not yet linked to the network

Beqaa Baalbek Construct a sewage network of 14,596 m in length

Beqaa Britel Construct a water drainage canal in Al Wadi neighborhood- Al Saha (400 m length)

Beqaa Britel Complete a sewage network (40% remaining) in all Britel neighborhoods (14,800 m)

North Halba Rehabilitate the existing main sewage network (4000m main) and 16000m secondary pipelines. Connect it to the other villages sewage networks (Cheikh Taba, …)

North Halba Rehabilitate the drinking water network

North Halba Build a 1,000,000 Liters water reservoir on the highest point (Daher el Tayoun) of Halba

North Halba Build a treatment plant serving Halba, Zweib, Adbel, Hiker el Cheikh Taba

North El Beddaoui Expand the sewage system

North El Beddaoui Activate the project of connecting the network to the houses

North Bebnine Rehabilitate the catchment infrastructure for Ain el Mafjar water source and build a basin

North Bebnine Cover the canal (4km) covering the two sectors of Bebnine in order to prevent the smells and to facilitate access of clean water to cultivated lands

North Bebnine Build a sewage network in Abdeh

North Bebnine Build a sewage network in Bebnine (Maslakh el Harik section) 120 housing units

Area Municipality Needs

North Aamayer Connect Rajm Issa (220 housing units) to the sewage network (2,071m)

North Aamayer Construct a treatment plant: find a solution to the wastewater from 5 villages in Wadi Khaled population 17,000 (Lebanese and Syrian )

North Minie Install a water network for Hamdoun Qarter (1000 housing units)

North Minie Complete the installation of the sewage network in specific areas of Dhour El Minie: Hamdoun Ein Al Borj, and the coastal area (the project could be divided into many phases according to the beneficiaries, and emergency)

PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH RWES BUSINESS PLANS

RWE Village name Project Description

Baalbek Transmission line from Bsateen well to Baalbeck reservoir (rehab of a well)

Majdel Aanjar 2000 m distribution line from Hariri well to customs and internal security + ministry of Agriculture

Taalabaya Completion of distribution network and reservoir BWE Qabb Elias Completion of distribution network

Taalabaya 8" ductile iron transmission line to Taaneyel industrial area (from Chtaura line or Chamsine pump station)

Halba 42,000 m of new extensions needed for the cost of 4,200,000 USD New well for the cost of 800,000 USD 1 new reservoir for the cost of 500,000 USD

El Qobbe 6000 m of new extension needed for the cost of 600,000 USD Network is old, needed 25000 m extension, Network project is under NLWE Machta Hammoud preparation

Bebnine 6000 m of new extensions for the cost of 600,000 USD with a pump station line for a cost of 1,600,000 USD and 1 new reservoir for the cost of 300,000 USD

Bebnine New well needed

Cheikh Taba 2000 m in new extension needed for the cost of 200,000 USD Pump station with transmission line for the cost of 800,000 USD

PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGH NASEEJ COMMITTEE PRIORITIES PROJECT REPORT

Village Needs

Halba Phase 1 - Replace the existing 1.5 km above the ground sewage network with an underground sewage network linked to sceptic tanks, in collaboration with the municipality of Halba. Phase 2 - Conduct maintenance works on the existing water network and expanding this network to reach all households

Mhammara Procurement of water tank trucks for Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees

Bebnine Organize a cleanup campaign for the spring and its surroundings Conduct an awareness campaign targeting all residents on how to protect the spring from pollution Build a wall and a fence around the spring to prevent waste disposal Establish a sewer and drainage system in al-Harik neighborhood

ANNEX C: COMPILED MATRIX OF PROJECTS

(Can be found in a separate excel document)

ANNEX D: MATRIX OF PROJECTS THIRD TO FIFTH MOST VULNERABLE

(Can be found in a separate excel document)