Climate change and increasing urbanization are increasing the challenges related to stormwater management in Lebanon. At the same time, rainwater represents a non-conventional water resource that remains largely underutilized.
To address these challenges, the WES-BCA project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Water of Lebanon, organized last 8 September a workshop entitled “Design of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in a Pilot Area in Lebanon”, dedicated to its water-related activity.
During the meeting, WES-BCA experts presented the results of the pilot area selection process, the technical and environmental criteria adopted, and the preliminary intervention options. The proposed solutions were discussed with representatives of national and local institutions, government agencies and the agricultural sector, assessing their technical, environmental, social and operational feasibility.
The discussion led to a consensus on the priority interventions and to the validation of the preliminary design phase, allowing the next steps of the activity to be defined.
NBS can contribute to managing stormwater in a more sustainable way, reducing flood and erosion risks and improving the resilience of urban areas, while also generating benefits for ecosystems.
Particular attention is also given to Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM), which can offer concrete opportunities for more sustainable planning of urban water infrastructure. Non-Conventional Water Resources (NCWR) can also play an important role. Rainwater harvesting, treated wastewater reuse and managed aquifer recharge can contribute to diversifying available water sources and reducing pressure on conventional water resources.
The WES-BCA activity contributes to Lebanon’s national objectives for sustainable water management and is part of the framework of international commitments on climate, biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The pilot experience could also provide a replicable model for other Mediterranean countries facing increasing water stress.