Maintaining rainwater harvesting practices in southern Lebanon : the kaza of Tyre

Abstract

Despite relatively extensive surface water and groundwater networks, along with abundant rainfall, Lebanon is facing water scarcity due to factors such as pollution of freshwater resources, climate change, population growth, and increased demand. Limited surface water resources in southern Lebanon have fostered a cultural tradition of rainwater harvesting in the area. Rain is collected on both the household and the community level through rooftop and runoff collection systems (i.e. birkis), respectively. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to play a major role in achieving water security in Lebanon by acting as an emergency water supply. However, several of the towns in the area have decreased their dependence on privately collected rainwater and have further been considering whether to maintain birkis. A comparative analysis of two specific towns in the kaza of Tyre is used to better understand what drives the local decision to maintain rainwater-harvesting practices. Calculations show that the estimated water supply from rainwater harvesting could be used to meet the basic water needs of the respective populations in an extended dry season. In addition, five factors are identified as possible driving forces in the birki maintenance decision: land scarcity, cultural shift (i.e. a divergence from traditional practices), public health and safety, water needs, and organizational capacity. This research can be helpful in amending the design of birkis to address these drivers while preserving the water-storing capacity of the birki. Opportunities for further study are also identified.