Adoption of Greywater Treatment and Reuse Technology in A Cluster of Six Towns in Lebanon

Boghos Ghougassian
Coordinator, MECTAT
(Middle East Center for the Transfer of Appropriate Technology)

e-mail: boghos



Abstract
In the ongoing research project of MECTAT in Lebanon, which is sponsored by IDRC of Canada, the greywater from 34 households of six towns are collected and treated anaerobically at household level, to make it safer for irrigation in domestic gardens. The six towns of the Project area are located in a semi-arid zone, in the West Bekaa region of Lebanon. 

The project is aiming at carrying out research on the treatability of the greywater and its acceptability for reuse in urban agriculture, particularly for irrigation in backyards. The goal of the project is to help the water stressed communities of the project area to preserve the precious fresh water, achieve food security and generate income, while helping to protect the environment.

The adopted treatment system is composed of locally available material, such as four PE barrels, and it operates by gravitational flow of the greywater. No mechanical work is involved in the treatment process.

This paper concentrates on the selection of the beneficiaries, choice of the treatment technology, cooperation with other similar projects in the region, preliminary results of the project activities and challenges.


 
International Water Demand Management Conference 2004 Updates