The Aitanit Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Beqaa serves around 27,000 residents in the villages of Aitanit, Baaloul, El Qaraoun, and Machghara, and is equipped to treat up to 5,000 m³ of wastewater per day. However, the treatment process is being hindered by large sludge volumes, severely impacting operations and causing contaminated water to flow into the Litani river. The ongoing national economic crisis has limited the abilities of local authorities to upgrade the plant which is emitting odors harming the environment and public health. In response, USAID’s Community Support Program (CSP) is collaborating with the Beqaa Water Establishment (BWE) to rehabilitate the wastewater treatment plant in Aitanit and upgrade its sludge management processes, enabling it to effectively treat, dewater, and store sludge in a proper location to prevent overflow to the Litani River. USAID intervention is expected to be completed by August 2023.

On June 22, 2023, CSP held a town hall meeting to update more than 20 municipal council members from the benefiting villages about the progress of upgrading works, highlight the intervention benefits to the community, clarify responsibilities, and encourage residents to connect their households to the wastewater network.

“We are proud of being part of this intervention and its long-awaited positive impact on public health and the environment. This town hall meeting was an opportunity to sustain cooperation between the villages,” said Yahya Daher, Head of the Al Bouhaira Municipal Union.