This document summarizes a seminar on water challenges in the Arab region held in Lebanon. It discusses the region's water scarcity issues such as low renewable water availability per capita compared to global averages, high population growth rates straining limited resources, and reliance on non-renewable groundwater for agriculture. Specific challenges facing Lebanon are also examined, including drought years in 2003-2004, 2007-2008, and 2013-2014 that impacted groundwater and springs. The seminar outlines strategies like improved efficiency, reuse of treated wastewater, and managed aquifer recharge to address the region's water security dilemmas.

1. UN Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia
Seminar, Water Resources Department, AUT, Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Water Challenges in the Arab Region:
How did we get where we are?
And where do we go from here?
Ralf Klingbeil, Regional Advisor Environment and Water
Inamo,2001.

2. Page 2
World Economic Forum 2016
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Global Risks of Highest Concern
2016
WEF,2016.Whatarethetopglobalrisksfor2016?
14Jan2016,www.wef.ch/risks2016.

3. Page 3
Opening Quotes
• “Arabs are already in the heart of the water
catastrophe.”
• “Any delay in a serious response to the water
challenge corresponds to mass suicide.
The water apocalypse is knocking on Arab doors,
right now.”
Najib Saab, Secretary General
Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED)
12 June 2010
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016

4. Page 4
Water Challenges in the Arab Region
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Lebanon
‫ﻟﺑﻧﺎﻥ‬

5. Page 5
Water Challenges in the Arab Region
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Lebanon
‫ﻟﺑﻧﺎﻥ‬
http://ilndation-elaof.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-to-make-
bucket-margarita.html2,2009.

6. Page 6
Outline
• Regional Water Overview
• Many dimensions of water
• Water availability and demand
• Water and food, virtual water, food imports, trading water
• Water in Lebanon
• What do we know about our water?
• Preparedness for droughts and water scarcity
• Future Directions: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and Sustainable Development Goals
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016

7. Page 7
UN ESCWA
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
18 Member States
www.unescwa.org

8. Page 8
Sustainable Development Policies
Division SDPD
Social Development Division SDD
Economic Development & Integration
Division EDID
Technology for Development Division
TDD
Statistics Division SD
Emerging & Conflict Related Issues
ECRI
ESCWA Centre for Women ECW
Administrative Services Division ASD
UNESCWA
Energy
Section EnS
Food &
Environmental
Policies
Section FEPS
Water
Resources
Section WRS
UN ESCWA
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Organizational
Structure
www.unescwa.org

9. Credit: Nicholas Clive Marcroft
Let’s talk about water …

10. Page 10
Scarcity of Water Contributes to …
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Iraq:
Displacement due to Drought
IOM,July2010

11. Page 11
Scarcity of Water Contributes to …
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Iraq:
Water Needs 2008 - 2010
IOM,July2010

12. Page 12
Scarcity of Water Contributes to …
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Syria:
Recent Multi-Year Drought
irinnews.org,2009.Syria’sdrought-affectedprovincesasof
Aug2009.
• Drought since
at least 2008
• Inability to
“make a living”
• Internal
displacements
• Additional
stress on
resources and
society in
urban areas

13. Page 13
Scarcity of Water Contributes to …
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Syria:
Estimated Change in Length of Dry Season
Evans,J.P.,2009.21stCenturyClimateChangeintheMiddle
East.

14. Page 14
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
• Status and Trends
• Availability vs. Use and Demand
• Renewable vs. Non-Renewable
• Population Growth and Agriculture
• Pollution – Reduction of Available Resources
• Virtual Water
• Water Imports and Transfers
• Desalination
• Transboundary Water and Aquifers
• ... and Climate Change
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Challenges

15. Page 15
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
MENA
Many Dimensions of Water
Governance
Demographics
Food
Water
& Land
Energy

16. Page 16
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Actual Renewable Freshwater Resources
per Capita by Region
FAOAQUASTST,WB2007

17. Page 17
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Percent of Total Renewable Water
Resources Withdrawn, by Region
FAOAQUASTATdata1998-2002,WB2007

18. Page 18
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Total Renewable Water per Person
in ESCWA Region
ESCWA,2009
Extreme Water Scarcity
Water Scarcity
Water Stress

19. Page 19
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Total Actual Renewable Water
Resources per Capita in MENA
FAOAQUASTAT,WB2007
Water Stress
Water Scarcity
Extreme Water Scarcity

20. Page 20
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Sources of
Water
ICBA,Barghouti,2009

21. Page 21
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
High Rate of
Population Growth
ICBA,Barghouti,2009

22. Page 22
Regional Water Overview - Water Availability and Demand
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
High Rate of Population Growth
in ESCWA Region
ESCWA,2009

23. Page 23
Regional Water Overview - Solutions to a Dilemma?
• Increase water efficiency and
conservation
• Reuse of all forms of water and
(treated) waste water
• Increase smart storage options:
Managed Aquifer Recharge
• Resources Protection
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Efficiency, Reuse, Storage, Protection

24. Page 24
Regional Water Overview - Solutions to a Dilemma?
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Reuse:
Water and (Treated) Waste Water
AlBaz,GIZ,2011

25. Page 25
Regional Water Overview - Solutions to a Dilemma?
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Storage:
Managed Aquifer Storage
UNESCO,2005

26. Page 26
Regional Water Overview - Food and Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Water and food, virtual water,
food imports, trading water
Morelli,2012:www.angelamorelli.com/water

27. Page 27
Food and Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Food Losses - Food Waste
Water Losses
BCFN,2013.FoodWaste:Causes,ImpactsandProposals.

28. Page 28
Food and Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Food Losses - Food Waste
Total Water Footprint, GB
BCFN,2013.FoodWaste:Causes,ImpactsandProposals.
X million m3

29. Page 29
Regional Water Overview - Food and Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Qatar:
“Massive amount of food wasted”
http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/240072-massive-amount-of-food-wa
Qatar Statistics Authority (QSA):
“(...) more than half of the
municipal waste generated (...)
contains discarded food.”
The Peninsula, 05 Jun 2013

30. Page 30
Regional Water Overview - Food and Non-Renewable Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Agricultural Groundwater Use
Wadi Al-Sirhan, Saudi Arabia
1991
2000
2012

31. Page 31
Regional Water Overview - Food and Non-Renewable Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Irrigated Agriculture,
Saudi Arabia
FAOAQUASTAT,2008

32. Page 32
Regional Water Overview - Non-Renewable Groundwater
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Sustainability and
Non-Renewable Groundwater
afterAlZubari,2010
we are here, but
where are we
going next?
• Immediate gains vs. long term benefits
• No clear “Exit Strategy”
• No replacement for
non-renewable (ground)water

33. Page 33
Regional Water Overview - Food and Non-Renewable Water
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Accumulated 30 yrs GW Abstractions
1975 - 2004 per Region, Saudi Arabia
WaterWatch,2006.

34. Page 34
Regional Water Overview - National Agricultural Strategies and Water Use
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Wheat Production, Consumption, and
Trade, 1983-2019, Saudi Arabia
GeoEconomica,2011.SaudiArabia’sFood
Diplomacy:SearchingforFertileGround.

35. Page 35
Regional Water Overview – Agriculture Contributions to GDP
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
GDP Shares in
MENA Region
ICBA,Barghouti,2009

36. Page 36
Regional Water Overview - Shared Groundwater - Transboundary Aquifers
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Inventory of Shared Water Resources
in Western Asia
www.waterinventory.org
• A total of 22 shared aquifer
systems and 6 shared river
basins were identified.
• 9 chapters on shared surface
waters and 17 chapters on
shared aquifer systems, each
following a standardized
structure and methodology.
• 624 pages of detailed
information with 60 new maps
and over 200 figures, tables
and boxes.

37. Page 37
Regional Water Overview - Shared Groundwater - Transboundary Aquifers
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Saq Ram Aquifer System (West)
Jordan - Saudi Arabia
www.waterinventory.org
Example:
Saq-Ram Aquifer System (West)
‘Disi’ Aquifer
• approximate exploitability
• groundwater development

38. Page 38
Water in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
What do we know about
our water?

39. Page 39
Water in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
What do we know about
our water?
PartlyfromMargane,BGR,2013

40. Page 40
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
How much water will we have
next year?
TheDailyStar,2015.Lebanon‘srainfalllevellessthan
average,14Dec2015.

41. Page 41
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
“(…) Airport’s Bureau of Meteorology
told The Daily Star Wednesday that the
lack of rain so far this season is
considered “normal.” There is no
indication that this winter will witness
less rain than usual, an official at the
bureau said.”
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
2014 …
An exceptional water scarce year?
TheDailyStar,2013.WatershortageleavesBeirutisfuming,
TheDailyStar,2014.Droughtsputagriculture,tourismatrisk.

42. Page 42
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
More critical
years:
2003-2004
2007-2008
2013-2014
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
2014 …
An exceptional water scarce year?
TuTiempo.net,2016.
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/ws-401000.html.

43. Page 43
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
2014 …
An exceptional water scarce year?
TuTiempo.net,2016.
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/ws-401000.html.

44. Page 44
Water in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Research for Better Understanding of
Jeita Spring Catchment
Margane,BGR,2013
• Tectonic setting
• Geological mapping
• Tracer tests
• Stable isotopes

45. Page 45
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
2014 …
Groundwater, spring discharges affected
Margane,BGR,2014.

46. Page 46
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
2014 …
Groundwater, spring discharges affected
Margane,BGR,2014.

47. Page 47
Water and Snow in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Average precipitation related to snow
water equivalent for 2008 to 2012
MEW,UNDP,2014.AssessmentofGroundwaterResourcesof
Lebanon.

48. Page 48 Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
2014 …
WASH Working Group: July 2014
WASHWorkingGroupLebanon,2014.UNHCR-UNICEF.
“This map shows those villages
in the Bekaa area facing water
scarcity. Villages have been
divided into rankings of high
medium and low. (…)”

49. Page 49
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
July 2014:
MEW Water Conservation Campaign
MEW,2014.NationalWaterConservationCampaign,
started15July2014.

50. Page 50
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
… but all through 2013-2014:
Blue Gold Advertising Campaign
CIH,2013.BlueGoldofLebanon.www.cihlebanon.org.

51. Page 51
Water and water scarcity in Lebanon
• Coordinate  Cooperate  Concerted Action
• National Strategy to Overcome Water Scarcity
(NaSOWaS)
• National Monitoring Network
• Research on Recharge Mechanisms
• Legal Basis for Rationalizing Water Use
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Recommendations
for better preparedness
..
R.Klingbeil,2014.CopingwithWaterScarcityinLebanon?
SomeSuggestionsandApproachesBasedonExperiences
fromtheRegion.37thWSCGMeeting,March2014,
www.slideshare.net/RKlingbeil.

52. Page 52
Water and scarcity in the MENA Region
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Three Levels of
(Water) Scarcity
TheWorldBank,2007.MakingtheMostofScarcity.

53. Page 53
Future Directions
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development
25 September 2015:
The 193-Member United Nations General Assembly adopted
• 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, incl.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org

54. Page 54
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Water (and Sanitation) and the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Water Connects and Enables
• Water is essential,
finite and vulnerable
• Water is a driver for
development and enables:
• Health
• Nature
• Urbanization
• Industry
• Energy
• Food
• Equality
Cap-NetUNDPandUN-Water,2015.

55. Page 55
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable
management of water and sanitation for all
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org
6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe
and affordable drinking water for all
6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable
sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation,
paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and
those in vulnerable situations
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution,
eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous
chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated
wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe
reuse globally
6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency
across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and
supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and
substantially reduce the number of people suffering from
water scarcity

56. Page 56
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable
management of water and sanitation for all
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org
6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources
management at all levels, including through transboundary
cooperation as appropriate
6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems,
including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and
lakes
6.a By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-
building support to developing countries in water- and
sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water
harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater
treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
6.b Support and strengthen the participation of local
communities in improving water and sanitation
management

57. Page 57
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Seminar at the Water Resources Department, American University of Technology (AUT), Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Mapping of Stakeholders per Goal /
Target / Indicator: Example Lebanon

58. UN Economic And Social Commission For Western Asia
Seminar, Water Resources Department, AUT, Halat, Lebanon, 19 Jan 2016
Water Challenges in the Arab Region:
How did we get where we are?
And where do we go from here?
Ralf Klingbeil, Regional Advisor Environment and Water
Inamo,2001.