Lebanon to Face Many Risks Over High Water Shortage

Lebanon is in danger of an increased water shortage in the coming years that will leave the country ill-equipped to satisfy growing demand, according to a study released by Fransabank on Monday.

Lebanon’s available surface and groundwater resources are already low at 839 cubic meters per capita annually, the report found, lower than the U.N.’s water poverty level of 1,000 cubic meters per capita per year.

Annual demand for water is set to increase to 108 billion cubic meters by 2035, up from 105 billion in 2015. By 2035, Lebanon could see a water deficit of an estimated 210 million cubic meters of water.

The report blamed a lack of finances and government planning for the current and predicted water shortages.