Abstract:
The Arab Region is currently challenged by securing sufficient water resources for sustainable development.
Although, Lebanon is considered relatively “the reservoir of water in the Middle East”, still, the provision of
adequate, sustainable safe domestic water remains a major challenge to be met. The city of Beirut hosts one third of
the Lebanese population due to progressive urbanization, resulting mostly from centralization of services and
economic activities. Faced with this challenge, the tendency is to reduce dependency on groundwater resources and
supplement it by surface water. The Awali River is among the 16 perennial flowing water resources, at a relatively
convenient distance from the Capital (Beirut). The objective of this work is to evaluate the river water basin to
determine the optimal extraction points, water quality variability and the need to develop and sustain proper river
basin management and quality control programs. Accordingly, water samples were collected throughout the year from
identified sampling locations. Complete physical, chemical, microbiological (pH, Conductivity, TDS, TOC, Ca, Mg,
HCO3, SO4, NO3, Na, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Mo, Co, Total Coliform, Ecoli ) quality profile based on standard
methods and procedures were conducted. Further data was analysed using SigmaStat statistical package and water
modelling software AquaChem. Preliminary results reflect on minimal exposure to sources of pollution other than
domestic sewage. This further emphasizes the need to meet the water and sustainable goals of the water for life
decade 2005-2015. Moreover, promoting and sustaining water and sanitation projects becomes a real challenge
Citation:
Korfali, S. I., & Jurdi, M. (2011). Suitability of surface water for domestic water use: Awali River case study. European Water, 35, 3-12.
