A man carries empty water cans down a street in Beirut. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — The South Lebanon Water Establishment announced Wednesday the complete cutting off of water services supplied by most of its pumping stations "due to instability of electricity supply."
In a brief statement, the water establishment said that "due to instability of electricity supply through the utility channels and cuts over long periods since yesterday [Tuesday], the operation of most of the stations has been compromised, causing the cessation of pressure and water supply."
The organization says it is in contact with Electricité du Liban, the state-owned power provider, "to regain stable electric power as soon as possible."
"We hope that users will reduce and ration their consumption until the power returns," the water establishment's text continues.
A week ago, demonstrators burst into the establishment's office in Saida to protest water shortages in the region due to recurrent power outages. Following this mobilization, the institution closed its doors in a "first warning," denouncing the fact that some "parties well informed of the problem of electricity have encouraged the protesters to break into the headquarters."
The office then attributed these water cuts to the lack of electricity necessary to power its water pumps, saying the pumps must be supplied with electricity for at least 12 hours a day to be able to function.