Energy Minister inspects wastewater treatment plants in Jiyeh and Jdaideh, emphasizes priority of pollution treatment

Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddy inspected the wastewater treatment plants in Jiyeh and Jdaideh, reviewing the status of water facilities and following up on projects aimed at reducing pollution and improving environmental services in the coastal area.

Participating in the tour were MP Halima Qa'qour, Director General of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment Rabih Khalifeh, the coordinator of the "Lebanese Forces" in Chouf Jean Michel Aoun, President of the Union of Municipalities of the Northern Iqlim al-Kharroub Majid Tarou, President of the Municipality of Jdaideh Monsignor Joseph Al-Qazzi, the "Lebanese Forces" official in Jdaideh Tony Al-Qazzi, the Mukhtar of Jdaideh Charles Al-Qazzi, and employees of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment.

Saddy affirmed that "the visit comes within the framework of field follow-up on the existing situation," noting that "more than a year ago, the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment was requested to take over all the plants in the town, as this is a basic condition set by donor entities to approve funding for projects related to the wastewater sector."

He explained that "the tour began at the pumping station in Jiyeh, which is an old station that requires periodic and weekly maintenance work as a temporary solution, especially during the summer and swimming season."

He pointed out that "there has been a project since 2018 under the supervision of the Council for Development and Reconstruction to build a new pumping station on land expropriated by the state," stressing "work to put the project back on the right track as soon as the necessary funding is secured."

Saddy indicated that "the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment took over the water treatment plant at the beginning of the year," noting that "UNICEF will soon begin its rehabilitation work."

He revealed that "within approximately a month and a half, treated water will be pumped through a marine outfall into the depths of the sea as an interim solution, until the second phase of the project begins."

He added: "Regarding the Jdaideh plant, which has been out of service for five years, the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment and UNICEF have completed the cleaning of the pipelines, and the plant will return to operation in conjunction with the implementation of the ongoing project, contributing to reducing environmental pollution and improving the health situation in the area."

He also stressed that "the coast is a tourist area par excellence," affirming that he asked the Water Establishment to prepare a report within two weeks containing the work that can be carried out urgently, and that he would later return to review what has been accomplished and follow up on the implementation of the planned plans."

For his part, Monsignor Joseph Al-Qazzi thanked Saddy for "his field follow-up and his dynamic and responsible work in cooperation with the apparatus of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment," expressing his hope that "his tenure will witness the achievement of the demand of the people of Iqlim al-Kharroub to operate the main plant and lift the environmental damage and pollution from the area."

In turn, MP Qa'qour affirmed "the importance of expediting the operation of the wastewater treatment plant in Jiyeh due to its direct impact on reducing environmental pollution," stressing her continuous follow-up on the file, praising "the efforts made by the Energy Minister to activate stalled projects," expressing her hope that "the plant will enter service as soon as possible."

President of the Union of Municipalities of the Northern Iqlim, Engineer Majid Tarou, pointed out that "Jiyeh suffers from pollution in more than one location as a result of the suspension of the wastewater project," noting "the existence of two pumping stations that have not been completed despite the expropriation of the lands allocated for them," affirming "the necessity of expediting the implementation of the required projects to lift the environmental damage from the town and its coast."

At the beginning of his tour in Jiyeh, Minister Saddy inspected the wastewater pumping station in the town near the port, in the presence of MP Halima Qa'qour, Vice President of the Municipality of Jiyeh Hajj Wissam Al-Hajj, Khalifeh, and the minister's accompanying delegation.

Al-Hajj stressed "the importance of carrying out periodic and continuous maintenance work for water treatment plants and pumping stations in Jiyeh, due to their essential role in preventing environmental pollution and protecting the beach and marine environment in the area."

Al-Hajj pointed out "the need to work on expanding the capacities of drinking water plants, commensurate with the population increase and urban expansion that the Jiyeh area and Iqlim al-Kharroub are witnessing," affirming that "the current infrastructure needs continuous development to meet the increasing needs of the population."

He also called for "securing a permanent emergency line to operate wastewater plants and water stations, to ensure the continuity of services and their not being affected by power outages or any emergency circumstances that might hinder their work."

He touched on "the file of the Jiyeh thermal plant," stressing "the necessity of its permanent closure in implementation of the government's decision to stop its operation, due to the environmental damage and negative repercussions it causes on the health of citizens and the surrounding environment."

Afterwards, Minister Saddy and the accompanying delegation inspected the wastewater treatment plant for Iqlim al-Kharroub, on the northern beach of Jiyeh, in the presence of the "Lebanese Forces" official in Jiyeh Charbel Al-Qazzi.