Litani River Authority Demands Olive Presses Comply with Environmental Standards

The Litani River National Authority warned, as the olive pressing season approaches, of the dangers posed by discharging pomace (zeibar) and washing water into waterways, lands, and artesian wells, due to the pollution it causes to water resources and ecosystems.

The Authority sent letters to both the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities and the Ministry of Industry, requesting that they instruct the presses located within the Litani River basin in the Bekaa, South, and Nabatieh regions to comply with the specific environmental conditions for their establishment and operation. These include collecting pomace in impermeable tanks of sufficient capacity, prohibiting its dumping in nature, rivers, or artesian wells, and disposing of or reusing it in an environmentally sound manner.

In a statement, the Authority emphasized "the importance of tightening monitoring of presses and taking action against violators, to preserve the quality of the Litani River's waters and groundwater sources, and to limit pollution during the pressing season."