Against limited financial resources allocated for Lebanon’s wastewater sector, USAID’s Community Support Program (CSP) is partnering with the Ministry of Energy and Water, Regional Water Establishments (RWEs), municipalities, and local stakeholders to implement sustainable wastewater infrastructure projects with USAID assistance in Nmairiye, Aaitanit, and Bchaale. While CSP completed its interventions in Aaitanit and Nmairiye in 2023, benefiting over 74,000 people, the Bchaale intervention is set for completion in January 2025, aiming to benefit an additional 1,300 people. To further reduce energy costs, and hence secure financial sustainability of wastewater projects, CSP is installing solar farms at the Bchaale and Charqieh wastewater treatment facilities, the latter of which receives wastewater from the Nmairiye wastewater station. In September 2024, CSP signed construction subcontracts to install the two solar farms, set to be completed by May 2025, with additional funding. These farms will significantly reduce wastewater operational costs, benefiting 130,000 residents.

“The planned solar farm in Charqieh is crucial for promoting its sustainability, as our major operational cost is fuel, which has become unaffordable amid the economic crisis.” – Dr. Wassim El Daher, Director General of South Lebanon Water Establishment.