Lebanon Imposes Water Rationing

In the midst of a social and economic crisis, Lebanese authorities are now "reluctantly forced to begin adopting a drastic rationing program in coastal areas,” according to the Establishment of The Water of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (EBML).

The shortage of fuel and recurring power cuts are severely hindering the country’s working water pumps. The country is going through a severe crisis and civil unrest is on the rise. There are worries that, should a pumping station go out of service, it will not be possible to secure the funds to repair it.

This would be the case because parts would need to be imported and, with Lebanese currency hitting an all-time minimum, such purchases would not be affordable.

In the meantime, the country is waiting for oil coming from Iraq, Lebanon’s only provider of the fuel. Without fuel, the electricity generators on which pumping stations rely, cannot work.

The  Establishment of The Water of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (EBML) said in a statement: ““We hope that the situation will improve, because if it continues like this, it will lead to a total inability to supply water and a total cut in the supply.”