The USAID-funded Community Support Program (CSP) is partnering with the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), Regional Water Establishments (RWEs), and municipalities to rehabilitate, upgrade, and build three sustainable wastewater treatment facilities worth a total of $4.5 million in USAID-assistance. These include rehabilitating the Nmairiye pumping station (South Lebanon) and its access road; upgrading the Aaitanit wastewater treatment plant (Bekaa) and its sludge management system; and constructing a wastewater treatment plant and collection system in Bchaale (North Lebanon).

To sustain the operation and maintenance of these facilities, CSP is also training RWE and municipal technical staff on the operation and maintenance of the rehabilitated facilities. To ensure sustainable power supply and reduce energy costs amid Lebanon’s economic crisis, CSP is installing solar farms at the Nmairiye, Bchaale, and Charqieh wastewater facilities – the latter of which receives wastewater flow from Nmairiye and therefore is vital for its operation. The three solar farms are planned for completion by May 2025, contributing to sustainable wastewater management services for 130,000 residents by significantly reducing operational costs through renewable energy. On February 13, 2024, CSP signed a subcontract with a local engineering firm called Kredo to design the three solar interventions.

“These solar farms are contributing to the sustainability of USAID’s wastewater investments in Lebanon. Such USAID assistance utilizing renewable energy are necessary to prevent public service systems from collapsing,” said Dr. Gebran Karam, Kredo Chairman and Director General.