Household Water Access in Baalbek-Hermel and Bekaa: Constraints and Coping Mechanisms (Flash Report, October 2025, Mercy Corps’ Lebanon Crisis Analytics Team – LCAT) provides a focused analysis of household water access in two of Lebanon’s most drought-affected regions. The 2024–2025 drought—marked by a 50% drop in rainfall between November and May—has depleted natural springs and wells, severely straining both public and private water systems.
Key Insights
Rising Dependence on Private Water: 25.6% of households in Baalbek-El Hermel rely primarily on private trucked water, surpassing public tap water (24.8%). This mirrors a nationwide increase from 44% in 2023.
Insufficient Water Supply: 47% of households reported their main source cannot meet basic needs; this rises to 58% among those depending on private trucks.
Price Surge and Added Costs: Private water prices increased by 20–100% due to high demand, fuel costs, and longer transport routes. 68% of households reported higher living expenses, especially for water and food.
Coping and Cash Preference: Households resorted to rationing and credit purchases. 88% prioritized cash assistance—favored for its flexibility—while 81% confirmed it helped offset drought-related costs.
Broader Implications: Lebanon’s water availability may halve by 2040, with a 1°C rise reducing freshwater by 8%. The report stresses the urgency of upgrading public water infrastructure and scaling Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) to address worsening drought conditions.
