On the occasion of International Day of Lakes, Enmaeya speaks with Salah Saliba, Water Resource Management and Environmental Sustainability Expert, about the state of Lebanon’s lakes and the wider challenges facing the country’s water sector.
Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Saliba discusses what we know and still don’t know about the condition of Lebanon’s lakes, reservoirs and wetlands, from recurring algal blooms in Lake Qaraoun to the growing pressures of pollution and climate change.
The conversation also looks at the impact of the war on water networks, pumping stations and wastewater infrastructure, and asks what Lebanon should prioritize as it rebuilds. From decentralized wastewater treatment and water reuse to renewable energy and constructed wetlands, Saliba explores solutions that could make Lebanon’s water systems more resilient and sustainable.
As water scarcity intensifies across the Middle East and North Africa, the episode also examines what Lebanon can learn from the region and the actions needed today to better protect its lakes and freshwater resources.
