A meeting at the headquarters of the Order of Engineers in the city in the presence of the Energy and Water Energy, Joe Saddi. (Photo provided by NNA)
In an effort to find solutions to Tripoli’s running water crisis, a meeting was held Monday at the city’s Order of Engineers headquarters, attended by the Energy and Water Minister, Joe Saddi, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The Hab water source, located between the city and the district of Koura, stopped supplying the capital of North Lebanon after a collapse of soil and rocks inside the cave, caused by severe weather. This source provides about one third of Tripoli’s water needs. Repairs will begin Wednesday and Thursday, in cooperation with UNICEF, which regularly supports the North Lebanon Water Authority.
“The crisis is due to a landslide at the Hab source, which provides between 30-40 percent of the water needs for Tripoli and its surroundings ... It’s a natural factor,” explained Saddi, ruling out any responsibility on the part of the Water Authority.
He added that “efforts began immediately to assess the situation on the ground and to reach an initial vision for a solution.” According to him, UNICEF has tasked a technical office with “starting fieldwork.” “During these two days, the technical scope of work will become clearer in order to prepare a final report to help find the right solution to the crisis,” he added.
Members of Parliament and city officials also attended this meeting, including MPs Elie Khoury, Karim Kabbara, Ihab Matar and Jamil Abboud, as well as Jamal Naji, representing Ashraf Rifi. “In a spirit of responsibility and due to the seriousness of the situation, this expanded meeting was organized, bringing together MP Elie Khoury, the region’s MPs and their representatives, the directors of relevant institutions and services, as well as the acting governor of the North, in order to look at practical measures to resolve this problem as quickly as possible,” the minister added.
The water distribution sector in Lebanon faces structural problems on a scale equivalent to that of electricity.
