Country profile – Lebanon

Version 2008
Recommended citation: FAO. 2008. AQUASTAT Country Profile – Lebanon.
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 1

Lebanon

GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND POPULATION

Geography

Lebanon, with a total area of 10 400 km2, is situated east of the Mediterranean Sea and bordered by the
Syrian Arab Republic to the north and east and by Israel to the south. It is a mountainous country,
stretching about 60 km in width from west to east and about 225 km along the Mediterranean coast from
north to south. About 8 percent is covered by forest and Mediterranean brushwood.

Administratively, Lebanon was divided until 2003 into six mohafazats or governorates (Beirut, North,
Mount Lebanon, South, Nabatiyeh and Bekaa). In 2003, two new mohafazats were created (Akkar and
Baalbeck Hermel). Topographically, there are four parallel areas running north-south which are, from
west to east, as follows:

 a flat, narrow coastal strip parallel to the Mediterranean sea;

 the Lebanon Mountains, a chain with mid-range mountains up to 1 000 m above sea level and
high mountains reaching 3 087 m above sea level at Qurnat as Sawda in northern Lebanon;
 the fertile Bekaa Valley at around 900 m above sea level;
 the Anti-Lebanon mountainous chain, which rises to 2 800 m and stretches across the eastern
border with the Syrian Arab Republic.

About 70 percent of Lebanon’s land consists of carbonate rocks from the Middle Jurassic to the Eocene
period. The soils of Lebanon are typically Mediterranean, generally calcareous except for the sandy soils
formed on the basal cretaceous strata of the Akkar Plain and the alluvial soils of central and western
Bekaa Valley. Lebanon has a complex landform consisting of sloping and steep lands. The high slope
gradient is a major physical factor, exacerbating water erosion of the upper layer of the soil and leading
to a weak structure and reduced water-holding capacity.

The cultivable area is estimated at 360 000 ha, or 35 percent of the total area. In 2005, the cultivated
area was 328 000 ha, of which 186 000 ha annual crops and 142 000 ha permanent crops (Table 1),
amounting to increases of 63 and 68 percent respectively since 1993. The two main agricultural regions
are the Bekaa Valley, accounting for 42 percent of the total cultivated area, and North Lebanon, which
accounts for 26 percent. In 1999, the harvested crop area, including both rainfed and irrigated
production, consisted of fruit trees (26 percent), cereals (22 percent), olives (22 percent), vegetables (19
percent) and industrial crops (11 percent) (MOA and FAO, 2000).

Climate

The climate of Lebanon is typically Mediterranean, with heavy rains in the winter season (November to
May) and dry and arid conditions in the remaining seven months of the year. However, the influence of
the Mediterranean Sea, the topographic features, and the Syrian Desert in the north creates a variety of
microclimates within the country with contrasting temperatures and rainfall distribution. On the coast,
the average annual temperature is 20°C, ranging from 13 °C in winter to 27°C in summer whereas the
average annual temperature in the Bekaa valley is lower at 16 °C, ranging from 5°C in winter to 26°C
in summer; nevertheless, at higher elevations in the mountain zones the average annual temperature is
below 10°C, ranging from 0°C in winter to 18°C in summer.
2 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

FIGURE 1
Map of Lebanon
Lebanon 3

Average annual rainfall is estimated at 823 mm although this varies from 700 to 1 000 mm along the
coastal zones and from 1 500 to 2 000 mm on the high mountains, decreasing to 400 mm in the eastern
parts and to less than 200 mm in the northeast. Above 2 000 m, precipitation is essentially niveus and
helps to sustain a base yield for about 2 000 springs during the dry period. Precipitation in dry years can
be as little as 50 percent of the average. Rainfall occurs on 80 to 90 days a year, mainly between October
and April. About 75 percent of the annual stream flow occurs in the five-month period from January to
May, 16 percent from June to July and only 9 percent in the remaining five months from August to
December.

The National Meteorological Service has identified eight ecoclimatic zones based on rainfall:

 the coastal strip, which includes the northern, central and southern coasts;
 the Lebanon Mountains, which are divided into the northern and central mountains;
 the Bekaa Valley, which is divided into the northern (interior Asi-Orontes), central (interior
Litani) and southern (interior Hasbani) regions.

Mean annual potential evapotranspiration ranges from 1 100 mm on the coast to 1 200 mm in the Bekaa
Valley, with maximum values recorded in July. Generally, fewer adverse effects are observed on the
coast than in the Bekaa Valley, where effects due to wind and high vapour pressure deficit are dominant
(LNAP, 2002).
TABLE 1
Basic statistics and population
Physical areas
Area of the country 2005 1 040 000 ha
Cultivated area (arable land and area under permanent crops) 2005 328 000 ha
 as % of the total area of the country 2005 31.5 %
 arable land (annual crops + temp fallow + temp. meadows) 2005 186 000 ha
 area under permanent crops 2005 142 000 ha
Population
Total population 2005 3 577 000 inhabitants
 of which rural 2005 12 %
Population density 2005 343.9 inhabitants/km2
Economically active population 2005 1 337 000 inhabitants
 as % of total population 2005 37.4 %
 female 2005 30.4 %
 male 2005 69.6 %
Population economically active in agriculture 2005 35 000 inhabitants
 as % of total economically active population 2005 2.6 %
 female 2005 40 %
 male 2005 60 %
Economy and development
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (current US$) 2007 24 000 million US$/yr
 value added in agriculture (% of GDP) 2007 6 %
 GDP per capita 2005 6 011 US$/yr
Human Development Index (highest = 1) 2005 0.772
Access to improved drinking water sources
Total population 2006 100 %
Urban population 2006 100 %
Rural population 2006 100 %

Population

The total population is 3.58 million (2005), of which around 12 percent is rural (Table 1). Population
density is 344 inhabitants/km2. The annual demographic growth rate was estimated at 1 percent in the
4 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

period 2000–2005. In 2006, the whole population had access to improved water sources. In 2000, 98
percent of the total population had access to improved sanitation (100 and 87 percent in urban and rural
areas respectively).

ECONOMY, AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

In 2007, Lebanon’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was US$ 24 billion. Agriculture accounted for
6 percent of GDP and the service sector for more than two-thirds. The total economically active
population is 1.34 million, or slightly more than 37 percent of the total population (2005) and in 2003
the unemployment rate was 18 percent. The economically active population in agriculture is estimated
at 35 000 (2005), of which 40 percent is female. The agricultural labour force declined from 25 percent
in 1967 to less than 9 percent in 1990 and less than 3 percent of the total economically active population
in 2005. However, agriculture remains an important source of income in rural areas and although it is
difficult to estimate the number of full-time farmers, most families have agriculture as a part-time
activity.

The main agricultural products are citrus fruits, grapes, tomatoes, apples, vegetables, potatoes, olives,
tobacco, poultry, sheep and goats. Lebanon is an exporter of fruit and vegetables, it is self-sufficient in
poultry and produces 45, 15 and 10 percent respectively of its pulses, wheat and sugar needs. It imports
78 percent of its dairy and meat products. In 2005, agricultural exports were estimated at US$ 196
million, or 17.3 percent of total exports, while agricultural imports were US$1 230 million.

According to the last census carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture in 1999 (almost 30 years after
the previous one) there were 194 829 farm holdings (an increase of 39 percent compared with 1970),
87 percent of which had less than 2 ha of cultivated land.

WATER RESOURCES

While Lebanon is in a relatively favourable position as far as rainfall and water resources are concerned,
constraints for development consist in the limited availability of water during the seven dry summer
months due to the very low water storage capacity, the difficulty of capturing the water close to the sea,
and the shortcomings of the existing water delivery systems and networks. The total length of streams
in Lebanon is 730 km, mainly on the western side of the mountains, which have steep slopes. Annual
internal renewable water resources are estimated at about 4.8 km3. Annual surface runoff is around 4.1
km3 and groundwater recharge 3.2 km3, of which 2.5 km3 constitutes the base flow of the rivers. About
1 km3 of this flow comes from over 2 000 springs with an average unit yield of about 10–15 l/s,
sustaining a perennial flow for 17 of the total of 40 major streams in the country.

The annual net exploitable surface water and groundwater resources, water that Lebanon can technically
and economically recover during average rainfall years, are estimated at 2.080 km3, consisting of 1.580
km3 of surface water and 0.500 km3 of groundwater.

In total, there are about 40 major streams in Lebanon and, based on the hydrographic system, the country
can be divided into five regions:

 the Asi-Orontes Basin in the north; the Asi-Orontes River flows into the Syrian Arab Republic
in the northeast of the country;
 the Hasbani Basin in the southeast; the Hasbani River, which flows into Israel in the southeast
of the country, is a tributary of the Jordan river;
 the Litani Basin in the east and south; the Litani River reaches the sea in the southwest of the
country;
 all the remaining major coastal river basins; the northern El Kebir River Basin is shared with
the Syrian Arab Republic, the river itself forming part of the border between the two countries
before flowing into the sea;
Lebanon 5

 all the small, scattered and isolated sub-catchments remaining in-between, with no noticeable
surface stream flow, such as the endorheic catchments and isolated coastal pockets.

The first three river basins cover about 45 percent of the country. The Asi-Orontes and Hasbani rivers
are transboundary rivers, while the Litani River flows entirely within Lebanon. With a total length of
170 km it is the longest river in Lebanon. Its catchment area is about 2 180 km2, equal to some 20 percent
of the total area of the country. Average annual water flowing in the Litani River is 475 million m3. In
the coastal regions, there are about 12 perennial rivers originating in the western slopes of the mountain
ranges and flowing from east to west to the sea. The coastal rivers have relatively small catchments (200
km2 on average) and small courses (< 50 km). The major replenishment of rivers in Lebanon comes
from precipitation, as well as from snowmelt and springs. However, a drastic decrease in the river flow
has been recorded in the last three decades.

There are eight major aquifers, with a total estimated volume of 1 360 million m3. Exploitable
groundwater ranges from 400 to 1 000 million m3 (Samad, 2003). The presence of fissures and fractures
encourages snowmelt and rainwater to percolate and infiltrate deep into the ground and feed these
aquifers. Water may reappear at lower elevations as springs that flow into rivers. Springs are commonly
found in Lebanon because of the highly fractured geologic rocks, and because of the existing inter-bed
rock formation of differing permeability, which is a feature of the whole country. In total, there are about
2 000 major springs and many other minor springs in Lebanon, generating an estimated flow of 1 150
million m3/year. Other springs are commonly found along the coast or in the submarine area. They are
also called “non-conventional” springs because it is more or less impossible to capture their water before
it flows into the sea.

Since Lebanon is at a higher elevation than its neighbours it has practically no incoming surface water
flow. The flow of 76 million m3/year of the El Kebir River on the border between Lebanon and the
Syrian Arab Republic is thought to be generated by the 707 km2 bordering Syrian catchment areas. There
might also be some groundwater inflow from these areas, but no figures on quantities are available.

Total surface water outflow is estimated at 735 million m3/year, of which 160 million m3 to the sea.
Surface water outflow to the Syrian Arab Republic is estimated at 415 million m3 through the Asi-
Orontes River. Surface water flow into northern Israel from the Hasbani/Wazani complex is estimated
at 160 million m3/year.

The transboundary Mount Hermon aquifer contributes to the discharges of the Banias springs in the
Golan and the Dan springs in Israel. The total groundwater outflow is estimated at about 1 020 million
m3/year. Of this total, 740 million m3 is estimated to flow to the sea, 150 million m3 to Israel (Hulah
Lake) and 130 million m3 to the Syrian Arab Republic (Dan Springs).

The geological conditions make construction of storage dams difficult. The largest artificial lake in
Lebanon is located in the southern part of the fertile Bekaa Valley on the Upper Litani River, known as
the Qaraoun Reservoir. Constructed in the 1960s, it has a total capacity of about 220 million m3 and
effective storage of 160 million m3 (60 million as the inter-annual reserve). It supplies in turn three
hydroelectric plants generating about 7 to 10 percent (about 190 MW) of Lebanon’s total annual power
needs. Moreover, the Qaraoun Reservoir potentially provides every year a total of 140 million m3 for
irrigation purposes (110 for South Lebanon and 30 for Bekaa), and 20 million m3 for domestic purposes
to the South. On the other hand, the Green Plan, which is a public authority established in 1963 for the
development of water reservoirs, and the private sector and NGOs have already developed hundreds of
small earth and concrete storage ponds, with a maximum capacity per unit of 0.2 million m3. During the
period 1964–1992 the Green Plan led to a total of 3.5 million m3 of earth pounds and 0.35 million m3 of
concrete pounds. The Litani River Authority implemented three hillside stock ponds in the early 1970s,
for a total storage capacity of about 1.8 million m3. The Bisri Dam on the Awali River is currently in
the final design stage; it will have a storage capacity of 128 million m3 and is intended mainly for
supplying water to Greater Beirut. The Khardaleh Dam on the middle reach of the Litani River, with the
6 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

same planned storage capacity of 128 million m3, has been put on hold at the preliminary design stage
because of the prevailing adverse security situation in the southern border region. In 2007, a new
artificial reservoir and dam, named Shabrouh, was inaugurated with a storage capacity of 8 million m3.
It is located near the ski resort town of Faraya and provides water for domestic and irrigation purposes.
The project will help alleviate water shortages in the Qadaa Kesrouan and parts of the Metn regions.

Lebanon generates an estimated 310 million m3 of wastewater per year (Table 2), of which 249 million
m3 is produced by the domestic sector with a total BOD load of 99 960 tonnes and an estimated 61
million m3 by industry. This represents an increase of 88 percent compared with 1991 when 165 million
m3 was generated. In 2006, treated wastewater was only 4 million m3, of which 2 million m3 was destined
for agricultural purposes, and the rest disposed of in the marine environment by direct diversion to the
rivers, or it was infiltrated by deep seepage to groundwater. The potential for reuse of domestic
wastewater is estimated at around 100 million m3/year. Some illicit irrigation from untreated wastewater
is practised. Another source of non-conventional water is desalinated sea water, which is estimated to
be 47.3 million m3 (Mdalal, 2006).

TABLE 2
Water resources
Renewable freshwater resources
Precipitation (long-term average) 823 mm/yr
8.559 109 m3/yr
Internal renewable water resources (long-term average) 4.800 109 m3/yr
Total actual renewable water resources 4.503 109 m 3/yr
Dependency ratio 0.79 %
Total actual renewable water resources per inhabitant 2005 1 259 m3/yr
Total dam capacity 2005 225.65 106 m3

INTERNATIONAL WATER ISSUES

In 1978, Israel invaded Lebanon, giving Israel temporary control of the Wazzani spring/stream feeding
the Jordan River.

In August of 1994, the Lebanese and Syrian governments reached a water-sharing agreement concerning
the Asi-Orontes River, according to which Lebanon receives 80 million m3/year if the Asi-Orontes
River’s flow inside Lebanon is 400 million m3 or more during that given year. If this figure falls below
400, Lebanon’s share is adjusted downward, relative to the reduction in flow. Wells in the river’s
catchment area that were already operational before the agreement are allowed to remain in use, but no
new wells are permitted. The Asi-Orontes River rises in an area north of the city of Ba’albeck and flows
through the Syrian Arab Republic before entering Iskenderun (Alexandretta) and emptying into the
Mediterranean Sea. The Al-Azraq spring is a very important Lebanese tributary to the Asi-Orontes
River; its annual flow is more than 400 million m3 (Amery, 1998).

In 2002, the water resources of the Hasbani basin became a source of mounting tension between Lebanon
and Israel, when Lebanon announced the construction of a new pumping station at the Wazzani springs.
The springs feed the Hasbani river, which rises in the south of Lebanon and crosses the Blue Line frontier
to feed the Jordan and subsequently the Sea of Galilee, which is used as Israel’s main reservoir. The
pumping station was completed in October 2002. Its purpose was to provide drinking water and
irrigation for some sixty villages on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line. October 2002 also marked the
high point of tension between Israel and Lebanon, with a real risk of armed conflict over the station.
The Israelis complained about the lack of prior consultation whereas the Lebanese contended that the
project was consistent with the 1955 Johnston Plan for the water resources of the region. The EU and
the United States both sent envoys to the region in late 2002 in response to the rising tensions (EU,
2004).
Lebanon 7

WATER USE

It is difficult to determine the exact figure for water withdrawal and to make a realistic breakdown
between the different sectors. Most private wells are unlicensed and therefore not monitored. In addition,
a large share of water in public distribution systems is lost through system leakages. There is 35–50
percent seepage from the water supply networks, which is almost all infiltrated to the aquifers and the
extracted again via tube wells, especially in the Greater Beirut metropolitan area.

In 2005, water withdrawal was estimated at 1 310 million m3, of which almost 60 percent was for
agricultural purposes, 29 percent for municipal use and 11 percent for industry (Table 3 and Figure 2).
Primary groundwater and primary surface water account for 53.4 percent and 30.2 percent respectively
of total water withdrawal. Recycled irrigation drainage accounts for 12.6 percent, desalinated water for
3.6 percent and reused treated wastewater for 0.2 percent (Figure 3). The share of water withdrawal for
agriculture is likely to decrease over the coming years as more water will have to be diverted for
municipal and industrial purposes. It is estimated that 700 million m3 of water per year is used for
hydropower, with direct restitution to the natural river course. Agricultural water withdrawal assessment
is based on 11 200 m3/ha per year from surface water and 8 575 m3/ha per year from groundwater.
Domestic water use is estimated on the basis of 220-250 litres per person per day during the dry period
and 200 litres per person per day during the wet period. Few data are available on the current or expected
water needs of the industrial sector. It is estimated that between 60 and 70 percent of water used by
industry comes from groundwater and the remainder is drawn from surface water resources.

TABLE 3
Water use
Water withdrawal
Total water withdrawal 2005 1 310 106 m3/yr
- irrigation + livestock 2005 780 106 m3/yr
- municipalities 2005 380 106 m3/yr
- industry 2005 150 106 m3/yr
 per inhabitant 2005 366 m3/yr
Surface water and groundwater withdrawal 2005 1 263 106 m3/yr
 as % of total actual renewable water resources 2005 28 %
Non-conventional sources of water
Produced wastewater 2001 310 106 m3/yr
Treated wastewater 2006 4 106 m3/yr
Reused treated wastewater 2006 2 106 m3/yr
Desalinated water produced 2006 47.3 106 m3/yr
Reused agricultural drainage water 2001 165 106 m3/yr

FIGURE 2
Water withdrawal by sector
Total 1.310 km3 in 2005
8 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

FIGURE 3
Water withdrawal by source
Total 1.310 km3 in 2005

Groundwater abstraction is secured by means of wells, which tap the major aquifers. Around 1 000 wells
are scattered in the area of Beirut, with depths varying between 50 and 300 m and an average individual
discharge of 35 l/s. Overpumping from wells in the Beirut area explains salt water intrusion.

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE

Evolution of irrigation development

Irrigation potential, based on soil and water resources, is estimated at 177 500 ha. The irrigated area in
Lebanon increased from 23 000 ha in 1956 to 54 000 ha in 1966 and then went down to 48 000 ha in the
early 1970s. In 1993, the total area equipped for irrigation was estimated at 87 500 ha, of which 67 500
ha for perennial irrigation and 20 000 ha for seasonal irrigation, using spring water. In 2000, the area
equipped for irrigation was estimated at 90 000 ha (Comair, 2005).

Surface irrigation, mainly of the basin and furrow type, is practised on 57 200 ha (Figure 4 and Table 4).

FIGURE 4
Irrigation techniques
Total 90 000 ha in 2000
Lebanon 9

TABLE 4
Irrigation and drainage
Irrigation potential 177 500 ha
Irrigation
1. Full or partial control irrigation: equipped area 2000 90 000 ha
- surface irrigation 2000 57 200 ha

- sprinkler irrigation 2000 25 100 ha

- localized irrigation 2000 7 700 ha
 % of area irrigated from surface water 2000 44.5 %
 % of area irrigated from groundwater 2000 22.2 %
 % of area irrigated from mixed surface water and groundwater 2000 33.3 %
 % of area irrigated from non-conventional sources of water - %
 area equipped for full or partial control irrigation actually irrigated - ha
- as % of full/partial control area equipped - %
2. Equipped lowlands (wetland, ivb, flood plains, mangroves) - ha
3. Spate irrigation - ha
Total area equipped for irrigation (1+2+3) 2000 90 000 ha
 as % of cultivated area 2000 27.1 %
 % of total area equipped for irrigation actually irrigated - %
 average increase per year over the last 7 years 1993-2000 0.4 %
 power irrigated area as % of total area equipped - %
4. Non-equipped cultivated wetlands and inland valley bottoms - ha
5. Non-equipped flood recession cropping area - ha
Total water-managed area (1+2+3+4+5) 2000 90 000 ha
 as % of cultivated area 2000 27.1 %
Full or partial control irrigation schemes Criteria
Small-scale schemes < 100 ha 2000 24 400 ha
Medium-scale schemes 2000 22 070 ha
large-scale schemes > 1 000 ha 2000 43 530 ha
Total number of households in irrigation 1998 98 465
Irrigated crops in full or partial control irrigation schemes
Total irrigated grain production - metric tons
- as % of total grain production - %
Harvested crops
Total harvested irrigated cropped area 2003 105 293 ha
 Annual crops: total 2003 81 213 ha
- Wheat 2003 16 940 ha
- Barley 2003 5 140 ha
- Maize 2003 3 490 ha
- Other cereals 2003 61 ha
- Potatoes 2003 19 166 ha
- Other roots and tubers 2003 4 156 ha
- Pulses 2003 4 310 ha
- Vegetables 2003 14 341 ha
- Tobacco 2003 8 983 ha
- Groundnuts 2003 718 ha
- Flowers 2003 508 ha
- Other annual crops 2003 3 400 ha
 Permanent crops: total 2003 24 080 ha
- Bananas 2003 2 754 ha
- Citrus 2003 16 426 ha
- Other perennial crops 2003 4 900 ha
Irrigated cropping intensity (on full/partial control area equipped) 2000 117 %
10 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

TABLE 4 (continued)
Irrigation and drainage
Drainage - Environment
Total drained area 2001 10 000 ha
- part of the area equipped for irrigation drained 2001 3 000 ha
- other drained area (cultivated non-irrigated) 2001 7 000 ha
 drained area as % of cultivated area 2001 3.2 %
Flood-protected areas - ha
Area salinized by irrigation 2001 1 000 ha
Population affected by water-related diseases - inhabitants

It usually comprises diversion or simple intake structures on streams or springs, open concrete main
canals, and earth or concrete secondary canals. Sprinkler irrigation is practised on 25 100 ha, especially
where potatoes and sugar beet are cultivated in the central Bekaa Plain. Localized irrigation is practised
on 7 700 ha, especially in north Bekaa (Qaa region) and in the coastal region.

The main sources of irrigation water are the Litani river and the Litani-Awali complex of water
resources. In 2000, it was estimated that 44 percent of the area was irrigated from surface water,
22 percent from groundwater (deep wells, recharge wells and springs) and the remaining part from
mixed surface water and groundwater (Figure 5). At the start of the 1990s, the use of groundwater for
irrigation increased in view of the delay in the implementation of government schemes. Individual
farmers in the schemes who faced water shortages increasingly relied on supplementary supply from
groundwater by means of private wells and in 1992–95 about 2 000 wells were added to an overall total
of more than 10 000 wells, especially in the southern coastal hills and in the north and middle of Bekaa
Central Plain.
FIGURE 5
Source of irrigation water
Total 90 000 ha in 2000

Both public and private irrigation schemes exist. The public irrigation sector, essentially unchanged
since 1970, consists of 5 large-scale schemes (> 1 000 ha) and 62 medium-scale (100–1 000 ha) and
small-scale (< 100 ha) schemes. Only two schemes use pressurized irrigation systems and the rest use
open canals for conveyance of water and surface irrigation technologies, which are shifting to localized
irrigation. The average plot size in public irrigation schemes is 1.8 ha. Most of the schemes are 25–50
years old, are poorly maintained and in an advanced state of deterioration. If water has to be pumped
from perennial rivers or wells, the main problem is the increasing cost of pumping combined with poor
efficiency in the distribution network. During the period 1994–2000, in order to improve the efficiency
of water conveyance and distribution, the government rehabilitated a total irrigated area of 28 000 ha,
including 24 irrigation schemes, of which 5 medium-scale and 19 small-scale. In 2000, small schemes
Lebanon 11

(< 100 ha) covered 27 percent of the total equipped area for irrigation, medium size schemes (100–1 000
ha) 25 percent and large schemes (>1 000 ha) 48 percent (Figure 6).

FIGURE 6
Type of irrigation schemes
Total 90 000 ha in 2000

Role of irrigation in agricultural production, the economy and society

In 2003, the harvested irrigated area was 105 293 ha, half of which (51 percent) was in the Bekaa Valley
(MOA and FAO, 2000). Annual crops represent 77 percent of the total harvested irrigated area. The
main irrigated crops are cereals (24 percent, mainly wheat), potatoes (18 percent), citrus (16 percent)
and vegetables (14 percent) (Table 4 and Figure 7).

FIGURE 7
Irrigated crops
Total harvested area 105 293 ha in 2003 (cropping intensity on equipped area: 117% in 2000)

According to the national census carried out in 1999, 60 percent of the cultivated area in farm holdings
exceeding 10 ha was irrigated, while this share was around 42 percent in those from 4 to 10 ha and 30
percent in the farm holdings covering less than 4 ha (Choueiri, 2002).
12 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

The average cost for irrigation development ranges from $US 2 500/ha for small schemes, $US 3 750/ha
for medium schemes and between $US 4 000 and 7 000/ha for large schemes. Estimates for operations
and maintenance (O&M) costs are $US 40/ha per year for small schemes with gravity surface irrigation.
In medium schemes these costs range from $US100/ha per year for gravity surface irrigation to $US
600/ha per year for private wells, while in large schemes they range from $US 400/ha per year for private
pumping in rivers to $US 600/ha per year for tube wells.

O&M are limited to very specific needs. The maintenance budget allocated by the Ministry of Energy
and Water (MEW) is very low and does not cover the required maintenance costs. Operation costs are
only used to control water distribution systems in the public schemes. Water is distributed during a
certain period based on the irrigated area. One or more persons are hired in the irrigation season to
implement the irrigation schedule. In general, maintenance improves when management is ensured by
municipalities or the regional water authorities.

Status and evolution of drainage systems

In general, drainage is not considered a critical need in Lebanon. The amount of agricultural land
suffering from drainage problems is fairly limited and is mainly in South Bekaa (about 5 000 ha) and in
the Bequaia Plain in Akkar (about 4 000 ha). In 2001, the total drained area was around 10 000 ha
(Table 4), of which 30 percent was in the area equipped for irrigation and 70 percent in rainfed areas
(ICID, 2007). River calibration is done to protect against flood damage and waterlogging, especially the
Litani River, upstream of Qaraoun Lake, where the drainage and calibration works realized in the 1970s
helped to alleviate the flood damage on about 1 500 ha. The “Improvement of irrigation management in
Lebanon and Jordan” project (IRWA), in collaboration with LRA, undertakes the rehabilitation of 11
points in the Litani and its tributaries. An assessment after the execution of five points shows and
amelioration of 50 percent.

Future drainage development involves completing and achieving the calibration of the Litani River and
its seven tributaries in the South Bekaa Plain, in order to reclaim about 1 500 ha of the waterlogged area
and to facilitate the drainage works in another risky area of 3 500 ha which is also exposed to frequent
floods from rivers. Crop yield increase due to improved drainage is estimated at 40-60 percent.
Environmental issues, such as the preservation of marshy lowlands for migratory birds, should also be
given consideration. About 1 000 ha is said to be salinized by irrigation.

WATER MANAGEMENT, POLICIES AND LEGISLATION RELATED TO WATER USE IN AGRICULTURE

Institutions

Under Law No. 221/2000, several institutions are in charge of water-related issues (Hamamy, 2007).

The Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW) is composed of two directorates: the General Directorate of
Hydraulic and Electric Resources and the General Directorate of Operation. MEW implements water
policy and extends and monitors the implementation of hydraulic and electric projects. It applies laws
regarding the protection of public water and its use and it has the administrative guardianship
(supervision) over the Water and Wastewater Establishments. It controls hydraulic and electric
concessions and applies the mine laws.

The Establishments enjoy financial and administrative autonomy in their areas. They are in charge of
hydraulic projects, irrigation, investments and feasibility studies relating to the master plan prepared by
MEW. They implement, operate, maintain and recover costs pursuant to the provisions of Law No.
221/2000. They draw up their tariffs and business plan, which is updated on a yearly basis.
Lebanon 13

The Ministry of Public Health monitors and controls water quality. The Meteorological Service of Civil
Aviation of the Ministry of Public Works collects precipitation data. Municipalities and the Ministry of
Interior and Municipalities are responsible for the collection of wastewater.

The Green Plan (GP) works under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture and is responsible for
constructing earth ponds and small water reservoirs.

The Litani River Authority (LRA) is the only water authority to retain special responsibilities and
functions that extend beyond its administrative region (the natural boundaries of the Litani Basin). It is
responsible for developing and managing irrigation water and associated works in southern Bekaa and
South Lebanon. It is also in charge of measuring surface water along the Lebanese territory. Law No.
221/2000 provides a two-year transitional period for reorganizing the existing water boards into regional
water authorities.

Water management

Technical aspects of irrigation management include the implementation of cost-benefit analyses for
medium and large irrigation projects and cost-recovery of water delivery over time. Historically, the
utilization of large pumps to lift water from deep wells, combined with the cost of pumping water, has
led to high costs of irrigation water to farmers. Added to this, the quality of water available to farmers
has gradually deteriorated due to heavy use of agricultural inputs. The small size of irrigation schemes,
land fragmentation and poor services have left a gap in water management policy in Lebanon.
Experience of local water management derives from specific cases of rehabilitation of public schemes
using both traditional and pressurized irrigation systems. In private schemes considerable experience
was gained in irrigation management because more investment was made in the sector.

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to water management issues and the improvement of water
use efficiency, such as by using appropriate irrigation methods and water harvesting techniques.
Research conducted at the Department of Irrigation and Agrometeorology of the Lebanese Agricultural
Research Institute (LARI) and at the American University of Beirut, Faculty of Agriculture and Food
Science focuses on improving water use efficiency both in irrigated and rainfed agriculture (Karam et
al, 2003, 2005, 2006). Field research dealing with supplemental irrigation of cereals and legumes is
important because it leads to an increase in yield in scarce water environments. However, the
dissemination of results and transfer of knowledge to end-users at on-farm level is still inadequate.

In some public schemes geared to demand, an engineering approach has been adopted to water
management, focusing on improving network performance and distribution uniformity and applying a
sustainable water tariff system. However, the non-existence of water-user associations led to bad water
management at scheme and on-farm levels. In private irrigation schemes, instead, experience in water
management was gained through increasing investment in the sector and the presence of highly qualified
workers.

To overcome problems of water scarcity, the government initiated a water management policy in the
early 1990s based on:

 rehabilitation of the already existing irrigation schemes

 reorganization of the water sector
 launch of the ten-year master plan for water storage in dams and earth ponds
 implementation of new irrigation schemes using advanced pressurized distribution systems.

Finances

The water sector in Lebanon has always suffered from a lack of a shared policy. On the one hand, it is
said that the criterion for water allocation should be economic water use efficiency i.e. the cash produced
14 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

per unit intake of water and that this can only be achieved by high water prices coupled to a free water
market. On the other hand, it is also recognized that there are barriers to the application of a strict pricing
mechanism, such as feasibility (water is often not metered), existing legal and historical water rights,
and a social environment in which water is perceived as a common heritage. Therefore, price
differentiation as a means to deal with scarcity is an option presently available only to a relatively small
number of well-equipped irrigation consortia in regions where it is legally feasible and socially
acceptable. Nowadays, there is general agreement that water resources are being depleted and that this
rate is not sustainable. Scarce water resources are increasingly being used for high-value crops, shown
for example by the large increase in the production of fruit and vegetables in greenhouses, where the
water-delivery infrastructure is relatively advanced and more efficient.

Agriculture, and more precisely the irrigation sector, has always suffered from a lack of incentives to
farmers. Water assigned by rotation and/or with a fixed flow rate hampers the application of water-
saving techniques, contrary to volume-related price structures. In addition, even where the water intake
is metered, levies amount to a minimal fraction of the value of the cash crops harvested. Therefore water
prices, perceived as high in the range of prices that are seen as socio-economically acceptable, have very
little impact on farmers’ behaviour. An example of a good incentive was the one offered by the public
sector, which provided farmers in the South Bekaa Irrigation Scheme with irrigation equipment to
efficiently irrigate 900 ha of reclaimed soils. This helped to reduce the water use per ha from
15 000 m3/year where furrow irrigation was used, to 6 500 m3/year using localized irrigation. In other
areas, drip irrigation contributed to water savings of more than 50 percent compared with furrow
irrigation.

Between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2000, the Council for Development and Reconstruction
(CDR) awarded 129 contracts worth a total of US$ 409.2 million in the water supply sector in Lebanon
(CDR, 2001). By March 2001, 60 percent of the awarded projects had been completed. About 95 percent
of the contracts involved capital costs, almost 4 percent consisted in technical assistance and only 1
percent was allotted to O&M.

Policies and legislation

In 2000, the Government of Lebanon approved a reorganization plan for the water sector, including
irrigation water, drinking water and wastewater, with the aim of better management, maintenance and
effectiveness in the water sector. Law No. 241 (29/5/2000) reorganized the existing 22 water boards into
four Regional Water Authorities: North Lebanon for the Governorate of North Lebanon, Beirut and
Mount Lebanon for the Governorates of Beirut and Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon for the
Governorates of South Lebanon and Nabatiyeh, and Bekaa for the Governorate of Bekaa. Working under
the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW), the four authorities are in charge of managing
irrigation water, drinking water and wastewater. Their responsibilities extend to water policy planning
at national level, measurement of water flows in rivers and measurement of groundwater recharge,
construction of water storage capacities (dams, reservoirs and earth ponds), monitoring the quality of
drinking water and treated wastewater, water pricing, and water legislation. They are also responsible
for studying, rehabilitating, implementing and managing water projects in the country (adduction and
distribution network).

Law No. 221/2000 empowers the regional water authorities to set and collect water tariffs for domestic
and agricultural use. Subscription fees for domestic water supply vary depending on water availability
and distribution costs: gravity distribution is cheapest while distribution by pumping is far more
expensive. In the Beirut area, where water tariffs are high, water is conveyed long distances and/or
pumped from deep wells. In some parts of northern Lebanon, where water tariffs are low, water is
available from springs and delivered by gravity. In 2001, tariffs ranged from US$ 43 to US$ 153/year
for 1 m3/day gauge subscription, which is equivalent to US$ 0.12 to US$ 0.42 per m3 water per day per
household assuming consumption of 1 m3 of water per day. However, most households incur additional
expenses to meet their water requirements. In fact, most households pay much more on a per cubic meter
Lebanon 15

basis for two main reasons: (i) frequent and periodic water shortages and (ii) the need to buy water from
private haulers, at a cost that is typically around US$ 5–US$ 10 per m3. In public irrigation schemes
where water is delivered by gravity, water is charged at a flat rate per cropped area. In the irrigation
schemes of the Litani, where water is delivered by means of pressurized pipes, volumetric metering is
provided. This is the case of the Saida-Jezeen irrigation scheme and in some parts of the South Bekaa
Irrigation Scheme. As an example, water charges vary between US$ 260/ha in the Qasmieh-Ras-El Ain
Irrigation scheme in south Lebanon to US$ 30–150/ha in the Danneyeh and Akkar irrigation schemes
in northern Lebanon.

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Water quality is adversely affected by agricultural, industrial and domestic wastewater. Leaching of
pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture pollutes both groundwater and surface water. Industries
release a wide range of chemical effluents, especially into surface water and coastal water. Open
dumping also affects surface water quality. It is difficult to estimate accurately the pollution loads into
water bodies from the different economic sectors. It can happen that disposal of sewage and industry
effluents into the rivers is followed by abstraction from the same rivers at a point further downstream
for water supply and irrigation, sometimes even irrigation of salad vegetables. A National Emergency
Reconstruction Program (NERP) was launched in the early 1990s, which conceived the design and
construction of discharge networks of wastewater and the establishment of treatment plants in almost
all the Lebanese coastal and inland cities. In 1995, a Damage Assessment Report was prepared to
formulate a policy framework for the wastewater sector throughout the country.

Water-related diseases, especially diarrhoea, are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity
among children less than five years old. In addition, health problems resulting from exposure to water
pollutants often result in health care costs and absence from work. Typhoid and hepatitis due to poor
water quality result in a larger number of sick persons in the mohafazats of North Lebanon, South
Lebanon and Nabatiyeh (ACS, 2006). In addition to health impacts, poor water quality increases the
cost of water treatment and encourages people to buy more bottled water than they would normally
purchase if they had access to good quality drinking water. A recent study (2007) elaborated by IDRC,
CNRS, DSA and LRA focused on an ecosystem approach for the sustainable management of the Litani
basin.

PROSPECTS FOR AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT

The Water Plan 2000–2010 was published by MEW in 1999. It defines the strategy to satisfy Lebanon’s
future water needs, estimated at 2.6 km3 in 2010 (Hamamy, 2007). The total cost will be US$ 1.327
billion, of which almost two-thirds is allocated to increasing the water supply through the construction
of dams and reservoirs. The strategy consists of six parts:

 to increase the water supply by building 26 dams and 6 lakes, which will increase the storage
capacity to 800 million m3 by 2010;
 to extend the drinking water projects, and develop, rehabilitate, and maintain the adduction
networks;
 to increase the quantity of irrigation water;
 to build 20 wastewater treatment plants in 12 coastal regions until 2020 for the treatment of 80
percent of the produced volume of wastewater;
 to maintain and clean the river courses;
 to rehabilitate and extend electrical equipment in order to reach the villages not yet connected
to the public utility network.

Public sector irrigation schemes suffer from poorly maintained distribution canals and ditches, leading
to high water losses and low irrigation efficiencies (not exceeding 40 percent). Therefore, the focus
should not only be on increasing the water supply, but also on improving water efficiency (water
16 Irrigation in the Middle East in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2008

metering, removing illegal connections, introducing on-farm practices for the efficient use of irrigation
water, etc.). In this respect, the establishment of water users’ associations (WUAs) is important since
they create an essential link between the water-providing institutions and the farmers.

The Government is planning to implement large-scale irrigation projects and to modernize the traditional
irrigation networks, thus saving water and allowing the irrigation of an additional 74 000 ha by the year
2015. The potential increase in irrigation includes 23 500 ha in southern Bekaa Valley and 5 000 ha
lying on both sides of the Litani River, which require drainage systems. Other planned irrigated lands
are 5 000 ha in the Ammiq area in southern Bekaa, 7 000 ha in Hirmil in northern Bekaa, and 4 000 ha
in the Plain of Akkar in northern Lebanon. A total of 35 000 ha are suitable for irrigation in southern
Lebanon, including 1 200 ha near Saida. In the Kassmieh region, currently 4 000 ha are equipped for
irrigation and 3 600 ha are actually irrigated, saving water should increase the irrigated area by 2 000 ha.
In the coastal plain, 58 000 ha can be irrigated by coastal rivers and aquifers.

An important first step in the overall process of a long-term water management policy in Lebanon is the
forging of a good operational partnership among the main actors in the water sector, namely the Ministry
of Energy and Water (MEW), the four regional water authorities, the Litani River Authority, the
Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment as well as the various private actors.

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Amery, Hussein. 1998. Assessing Lebanon’s water balance. Workshop on freshwater balances in the Eastern
Mediterranean region, held at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Carleton University,
Ottawa, Canada.

CEMAGREF. 2008. International Drainage Database:Lebanon

CDR/MHER/BTD-CADRES-Consulting Engineers. 1994. Rapid initial assessment of small and medium

irrigation schemes in Lebanon. CDR, Beirut.

Choueiri, E. 2002. Stratégie et Politique Agricole. Annexe 2: Ressources hydrauliques et pratiques de l’irrigation.

Comair, F. 2005. Les eaux au Liban entre les pertes et l’exploitation (en Arabe). Daccache (Eds.). 319pp.

Conseil National de la Recherche Scientifique. 2004. Atlas du Liban. 63pp.

EU. 2004. IRWA. Improvement of Irrigation Water Management in Jordan and Lebanon (2003-2008).
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Centre/World Bank Cooperative Programme Report No. 5/94 CP-LEB 8. Rome.

FAO. 1995. Agricultural infrastructure development project: Preparation report. FAO Investment Centre/World
Bank Cooperative Programme Report No. 106/95 CP-LEB 9. Rome.

Geadah, A. 1993. Projet d’irrigation de la Bekaa-Sud: Etude de faisabilité, document de travail en vue de la
reprise des activités. Litani River Authority, Beirut.

Hamamy, G. 2007. EGM on the production of statistics on natural resources and environment. Lebanese
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ICID. 2007. International drainage database.

Lebanon 17

Jaber, Bassam. 1994. The water problem in Lebanon. Conference on the problems of water in the Middle East.
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Jaber, Bassam. 1995. The water resources in Lebanon. Conference on the environmental management for
sustainable development in Lebanon. UNEP/LNCSR, Beirut.

Karam, F., Breidy, J., Stephan, C. and Y. Rouphael. 2003. Evapotranspiration, yield and water use efficiency
of drip irrigated corn in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Agricultural Water Management. 63: 125-137.

Karam, F., Lahoud, R., Masaad, R., Sfeir, T., Mounzer, O., and Y. Rouphael. 2005. Evapotranspiration and
seed yield of field grown soybean under deficit irrigation conditions. Agricultural Water Management, 91: 1017-
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Karam, F., Lahoud, R., Masaad, R., Daccache, A., Mounzer, O., and Y. Rouphael. 2006. Water use and lint
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Litani River Authority, Directorate of Studies. 1993. The Master Plan and the 15-year plan for the equipment
and the exploitation of the Litani River Basin. Litani River Authority, Beirut.

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Mdalal, S.E. 2006. Water resources in the Arab World (in Arabic). Dar El Fikr Al Arabi (Eds.). 176pp.

Ministry of Energy and Water (MEW). 2004. Projet d’Irrigation El Qaa-Hermel et Barrage.

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