A water distribution tank. (Credit: Saïd Meallaoui/L'Orient Today.)
At some point each day, the roar of a water truck engine cuts through the Lebanese soundscape — a now familiar noise that has become more frequent than ever. As summer begins, water restrictions are already tightening across much of Lebanon, especially in Beirut and its surrounding areas."People call me from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for me to come fill their tanks," says Elias, who drives daily in Furn al-Shubbak and Ain al-Rummaneh, neighborhoods in the southeastern suburb of Beirut. "Demand has decreased this week because there was a state replenishment on the first of the month. But before that, I easily emptied the tank I fill in the morning before the end of the day," explains the electrician, who occasionally switches to being a delivery driver when water is scarce to make ends meet. Read more about rising...
At some point each day, the roar of a water truck engine cuts through the Lebanese soundscape — a now familiar noise that has become more frequent than ever. As summer begins, water restrictions are already tightening across much of Lebanon, especially in Beirut and its surrounding areas."People call me from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for me to come fill their tanks," says Elias, who drives daily in Furn al-Shubbak and Ain al-Rummaneh, neighborhoods in the southeastern suburb of Beirut. "Demand has decreased this week because there was a state replenishment on the first of the month. But before that, I easily emptied the tank I fill in the morning before the end of the day," explains the electrician, who occasionally switches to being a delivery driver when water is scarce to make ends meet. Read more about rising...