Climate Change and Water Resources in Lebanon

Climate Change and Water Resources in

Lebanon

Nadim Farajalla, PhDDirector

Department of Land, Water and EnvironmentSETS

Climate Change in Lebanon

Annual Rainfall in Beirut

0.0

200.0

400.0

600.0

800.0

1000.0

1200.0

1400.0

1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990

YearR

ain

(mm

)

AUB Linear (AUB)

Anticipated Impacts on Water Resources

reduction of about 20% in precipitation (rainfall and snowfall)

reduction in snow cover


increase in severe storms and their frequency


increase in evapotranspiration


Coast

Inland

increase in the occurrence and frequency of droughts

Reference Condition

1993 - 1998

S 1 - P↓10% and

ET↑10%

S 2 - P↓10% and

ET↑20%

S 3 - P↓20% and

ET↑10%

S 4 - P↓20% and

ET↑20%

S 5 - P↓30% and

ET↑10%

S 6 - P↓30% and

ET↑20%

S 7 - P↓40% and

ET↑10%

S 8 - P↓40% and

ET↑20%

Drought Years Normal Years


increase in forest fires leading to:

decrease in ground cover

increase in erosion

decrease in infiltration → decrease in groundwater recharge


reduction in surface and ground water quality

higher temperatures reduce dissolved oxygen levels reduced assimilative capacity;

reduced stream flow and lake levels less dilution of pollutants;

increased frequency and intensity of rainfall more pollution and sedimentation due to increased runoff


sea water rise intrusion into

coastal aquifers

sewage and stormwater sea outfalls/networks in coastal areas.


There are no comprehensive development plans to adapt to the anticipated climate changes – Lebanon set a goal at COP 15 to increase renewable energy contribution to 12% of total.

Lebanon has issued its first national communication and has nearly completed the second

Lebanon has participated in the National Economic and Environmental Development Studies project

There have been some individual efforts by some ministries but these do not construe a national plan (e.g. Ministry of Energy and Water’s ten-year plan)

Current Status

Recommended Adaptation Measures

Improve water resources management on national and local levels

This requires the development of a national water management plan/strategy which is based on three main components:

Water demand management

Water storage strategy

Alternative water sources

NB – Issue of tariffs, economic incentives, etc. will not be discussed

Water Demand Management Agriculture:

Irrigation: Improved conveyance and application efficiencies, e.g. reduce leaks, move

from sprinkler and drip methods

New management techniques, e.g. deficit irrigation

Control use of groundwater

Crop production: Proper crop selection (i.e. stop growing crops that demand a lot of water and

select crops that are tolerant to drought or low precipitation)

Develop rainfed agriculture

Shift crop growing areas to regions that have more rainfall or available water

Water Demand Management

Domestic:

Reduce leakage in water distribution networks

Reduce illegal tapping into the distribution network

Promote the use of water saving devices in homes and establishments, e.g. dual flush toilets, automated and/or timed water faucets, low head showers, etc.

Recycle wastewater: greywater and blackwater recycling at the individual and collective dwelling levels

Strictly limit and control access to groundwater

Water Storage Strategy

Reservoirs

Hill lakes

Groundwater recharge

Dams

Alternative Water Sources

Use of treated sewage effluent

Desalinization

Water harvesting

Thank You

for further informationNadim Farajalla

mobile: +961-3-536006office: +961-1-755411

fax:+961-1-755422e-mail: [email protected]

Skype: nfarajalla

mailto:[email protected]

Climate Change and Water Resources in Lebanon

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