BergerWorld: 4th Quarter 2004

The nation of Lebanon is undertaking a $2.4 billion economic revival plan. As part of this massive program, the country is investing significantly in developing affordable and sustainable water resources. Lebanon has several important rivers, including the Litani, a key source of hydro-electric power, and the Orontes. These rivers along with many smaller mountain streams provide Lebanon with plentiful water. To preserve these resources and encourage new investments in potable water, sewage treatment and irrigation, the Council for Development and Reconstruction and the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) commissioned a joint venture of Louis Berger SAS, Jacobs and Rafik El Khoury and Partners to develop a comprehensive nationwide water and wastewater management plan.

The Team mobilized a multi-disciplinary team of water resource planners, GIS specialists and environments to collect and analyze data on Lebanon's current and future water needs and available supplies to create a comprehensive nationwide water resource plan.

The Team is working with MEW staff to analyze available data, conduct field studies, evaluate alternate programs and establish investment priorities. The Team is also assisting in a nationwide water-sector master plan to develop a model of water projects in Lebanon. To improve the nationwide project coordination unit's ability to solve complex engineering and social issues, Berger specialists introduced a number of training programs to strengthen the unit's capacity to prepare and evaluate projects, encourage private-sector participation, supervise construction and operate new investments.

To reduce lost water and the associated costs, the Team prepared a database of information on water loss and detailed action plans for MEW officials and private water companies to implement. Through the development of this ambitious master plan for water investment, Lebanon will be able to address the nation's needs for water over the next 25 years and increase the number of citizens with access to water and wastewater treatment.