The town of Bchaale in North Lebanon has long been reputed for its millennium olive trees and scenic hiking trails which usually attract visitors from around the world. However, the town has been suffering from growing pollution and a lack of wastewater infrastructure, which in turn has affected local livelihoods and fueled inter-communal tensions among its 2,400 residents. Considering the high priority of the project for local inhabitants and the natural environment, USAID’s Community Support Program (CSP) is constructing a new wastewater treatment plant to treat around 300m³ of wastewater per day. On September 16, 2022, CSP hosted a launching ceremony with key stakeholders involved in the construction of the treatment plant, thereby marking the official start of the intervention. Attendees included the Mayor of Bchaale, representatives from the construction subcontractor EMCO, and design and quality control subcontractor Bureau Technique pour le Developpement (BTD), as well as CSP representatives. To mark the launch, the construction subcontract was signed between CSP and EMCO.

“We have been working hard towards making Bchaale free of pollution by 2030. We wish to thank USAID/CSP for its major contribution towards realizing this vision,” stated Rachid Geagea, Mayor of Bchaale.