"Akhbar al-Yawm" agency

Zahle Wastewater Plant to Restart Operations After Funding Crisis Resolved

Swift action and alternative funding to cover operating costs

After months of inactivity, the Zahle water treatment plant is preparing to restart operations, a vital move toward alleviating the wastewater crisis.

The closure of the plant was not due to any technical or mechanical malfunction. Instead, it stemmed from the expiration of the contract with the Italian donor and operator. According to information obtained by "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency, the Italian side refused to restart operations in protest against the Central Bank of Lebanon’s refusal to release €5 million allocated to Italy’s Ministry of Environment. This financial standoff effectively paralyzed the plant’s funding mechanism and halted operations.

In response, Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi intervened to find a practical solution. He succeeded in securing alternative funding from new donor entities, which agreed to cover operational costs for six months, with the option of renewal. As a result, the Zahle plant is expected to return to service soon, thanks to the minister’s efforts.

It is worth noting that Minister Saddi, in addition to tackling Lebanon’s ongoing electricity, water, and oil challenges, has made it a priority to address the wastewater sector, particularly given that most treatment plants are currently out of service for various reasons.