SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 6 is a global commitment to ensure clean water and sanitation for all, recognizing the essential role these factors play in promoting human health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. In Lebanon, the Litani River Basin has long been plagued by untreated pollution, posing serious environmental and health challenges. However, the Lebanese American University (LAU) is at the forefront of an innovative effort to address these critical issues. Through a collaborative project with the Litani River Authority, LAU, supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is spearheading a multifaceted initiative. The project leverages the power of anaerobic digestion to treat industrial wastewater, creating a sustainable solution that not only safeguards water quality but also generates alternative energy. This pioneering endeavor underscores the university’s commitment to addressing water pollution, supporting public health, and contributing to environmental sustainability, all in alignment with the global goals of SDG 6.

SDG 6 targets are achieved through:

Waste Water Treatment:

Waste water is treated at Byblos Campus where two wastewater treatment plants are available:

1. For the campus at current capacity of 210 m³/day expandable to 420 m³/day
2. For the Residence Halls at a capacity of around 70 m³/day

Physical Facilities – Byblos Campus Utilities

https://fm.lau.edu.lb/physical-facilities/utilities/byblos.php

Waste Water Treatment Plant

Building Standards to Minimize Water Use

LAU prioritizes adaptive and water-efficient building standards whenever feasible. Renovation projects are designed to achieve high performance, particularly in terms of energy and water conservation. Water-saving devices have been tested in offices and dormitories and subsequently implemented across multiple buildings, resulting in approximately 29% water savings. A comprehensive survey of all water fixtures on the Byblos campus has been conducted, and a master plan is currently being developed to identify and implement additional water conservation measures.

LAU’s is committed to developing sustainable buildings that reduce resource consumption while protecting the environment and providing a high indoor environmental quality. Increasingly, building projects involve certifying buildings (LEED and EDGE) by means of green building rating systems, thus obtaining recognition and creating further awareness.

Accordingly, LAU secured one LEED and two EDGE certifications for three of its buildings:

• The Library & Central Administration is LEED certified (https://www.usgbc.org/projects/j-jabbra-library-r-nassar-ca-bldg?view=scorecard).
• The Tohme Rizk Building is EDGE certified (https://edgebuildings.com/project-studies/tohme-rizk-office-building/). feature measures such as rain water harvesting and reuse, condensate reuse, low flow sanitary fixtures, efficient and smart irrigation, etc.
• Gezairi School of Architecture is EDGE certified (https://fm.lau.edu.lb/physical-facilities/buildings-grounds/buildings/beirut/gezairi-building.php); feature measures such as rain water harvesting and reuse, condensate reuse, low flow sanitary fixtures, efficient and smart irrigation, etc.

Plant Landscapes to Minimize Water Usage

LAU resorts to adaptive and water efficient landscape whenever possible.

The University Master Plan (https://fm.lau.edu.lb/facilities-planning/master-planning/) offers the university an integrated framework to guide its physical development over a 20-year time frame. Driven by academic planning priorities, the Master Plan provides a set of guidelines for decisions on where to locate the university’s research, teaching, residential and recreational priorities and programs. It also offers a campus-wide frame of reference for the university’s current capital plan and links local and zone plan goals to the broader plan. The plan is continually reviewed to maintain alignment with LAU’s vision. Within this framework, Landscaping guidelines are presented below:

Landscaping:

The landscape design is an integral part of any site development and site plan application. The General Vegetation guideline outlines the principles for landscape design.

General Vegetation Guideline

The civic landscape is largely composed of outdoor spaces intended for particular purposes. These spaces should be composed of canopy trees, shrubs and ground cover.

Trees should be used to:

1. Create a canopy of shade
2. Frame, define and establish focal points for outdoor spaces

Shrubs should be used to:

3. Demarcate a transition from one space to another
4. Enhance areas close to building foundations

Ground covers should be used to create a soft, attractive ground greenscape.

5. Use lawns for gathering places sparingly to reduce water usage.
6. Use plants that require low maintenance for areas that border gathering places.
7. Use plants as ground cover wherever possible to assist in climate and erosion control.
8. Chosen plants should have high landscape value and possess characteristics that add interest to the campus landscape.
9. Plants that have several interesting characteristics (e.g., significant flower, foliage, bark, canopy, etc.) are of the highest value.
10. Plants should aesthetically complement civic spaces.
11. Chosen plants should be drought-tolerant.
12. Plants around buildings should be chosen in such a way as to minimize summertime solar gain. Solar gain can raise internal building temperatures significantly, increasing the need for mechanical air conditioning.
13. Chosen plants should be of research value.
14. To the greatest extent possible, mature trees that exist within new development zones should be carefully relocated/salvaged to suitable locations on campus. Other ways to protect significant existing trees from the adverse effects of construction include installing fencing that extends from the trunk to the drip-line in all directions and/or not allowing construction vehicles, equipment, or materials within the protection area. Consider root and crown pruning to minimize “construction shock”.
15. Street trees should be introduced on roads that are within or border the campus to provide shade and pedestrian scale.
16. Deciduous trees should be planted in open parking areas to minimize summer solar gain and to “soften” the hard nature of the paved environment.

One good example is the Library & Central Administration project, where adaptive plants were used such as planting dichondra instead of lawn. The project was awarded a score of 4/4 point for water efficient landscaping:

J Jabbra Library & R Nassar CA BLDG.

https://www.usgbc.org/projects/j-jabbra-library-r-nassar-ca-bldg?view=overview

Address: Blat, Byblos, Lebanon, 0000
Rating system: LEED BD+C: New Constructionv3 - LEED 2009
Last certified on: June 25, 2020
Certification level: Gold
Points: 74
Size: 83,403 sq ft

Water reuse

Policy to maximise water reuse

Efficient water management is an essential pillar of sustainability at LAU, where it operates large campuses with diverse water demands. A policy to maximize water reuse can not only reduce consumption but also demonstrate environmental leadership.

At the Byblos Campus, wastewater and rainwater are being effectively reused for irrigation and other purposes. LEED certification for the Byblos Library and Riyad Nassar Central Administration project highlights this commitment, awarding a perfect score for wastewater reuse under innovation. The campus also features advanced systems, such as wastewater treatment plants, rainwater harvesting, and low-flow sanitary fixtures, reducing water use by up to 35%.

Beyond individual projects, the university actively implements initiatives like water-saving devices, metering, and a comprehensive master plan to enhance water conservation and efficiency. These efforts are part of a broader sustainability strategy, addressing not just water but energy use and environmental awareness across the community.

Water Efficiency and Re-use:

https://fm.lau.edu.lb/sustainability/energy-saving-and-water-conservation/

Projects are implemented to reduce water consumption, harvest rain water and recycle water for irrigation.

• We have tested water saving devices in offices and dorms and implemented the same at the Tohme-Rizk building in Byblos as a pilot project, achieving savings of around 29 percent.
• Our Byblos campus features wastewater treatment plants. Treated water is being reused for irrigation, which will be further increased with the upcoming Byblos infrastructure project.
• The Byblos Library and Riyad Nassar Central Administration project features rain water harvesting and reuse.
• The Byblos Library and Riyad Nassar Central Administration project has been designed with low flow sanitary fixtures, achieving 35 percent water use reduction.
• We have surveyed all the water fixture types on the Byblos campus and are currently drafting a master plan to determine and implement possible further water saving measures.

Measurement of the reuse of water

The Physical Plants at Facilities Management on both campuses handle the measurement and management of water consumption and water reuse.

Physical Facilities Measurements

https://dira.lau.edu.lb/images/DIRA%20Factbook%202022-2023%20%28Web%20Version%29.pdf and https://fm.lau.edu.lb/sustainability/energy-saving-and-water-conservation/

WATER CONSUMPTION & EXPENDITURE (updated November 2022)

Educational Opportunities for Local Communities

Water management is a critical challenge in many Lebanese regions, and The University has a unique role to play in advancing solutions and educating communities. At LAU, initiatives extend beyond campus boundaries to address pressing local environmental issues, such as the pollution of the Litani River Basin.

A USAID-funded research project led by LAU, in collaboration with the Litani River Authority and Washington State University, focuses on developing eco-friendly industrial wastewater treatment technologies. This innovative project not only tackles organic waste biodegradation but also explores energy recovery through methane generation. These technologies aim to provide sustainable solutions for communities affected by waterborne diseases and pollution while engaging industries and stakeholders through workshops and research dissemination.

In addition to research, LAU hosts public events, awareness campaigns, and student-led initiatives to promote water conservation and sustainability, showcasing its commitment to educating local communities about water management practices.

A USAID-funded Research Project on Industrial Wastewater Management Yields Sustainable Solution:

In the final workshop of the project to treat waste streams in the Litani Basin, engineering faculty urge industries to apply new technology.

A research project by LAU in collaboration with the Litani River Authority to provide a sustainable solution to the pollution of the Litani River Basin has yielded an eco-friendly treatment technology that is effective on all organic waste streams.

Spearheaded by LAU’s Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Mahmoud Wazne who had secured a grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the project entailed perfecting a treatment method for agri-industrial waste based on a newly developed integrated bio-electrochemical reactor technology, in collaboration with Washington State University, and using the by-product, methane, to generate electricity.

This innovative technique for the biodegradation of organic waste could help the Litani River Authority protect the poor communities in the basin’s region from waterborne diseases, while at the same time providing a much-needed source of energy. It would also ensure a supply of clean water as far as Beirut in answer to water shortages.

This project addresses SDGs 3, 6, 7, 11 and 14 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, namely Good Health and Well-Being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Life Below Water.

Conscious Water Usage

Promoting conscious water usage on campus and in the wider community is done through:

• Awareness campaigns addressing LAU community members and wider communities including tips for water saving (whether on campus, at dorms or at home).
• “Take the green pledge” is an initiative where students, faculty, staff and community take the pledge by committing to water conservation behavior

Green Awareness

We are continuously sensitizing the LAU community about the importance of energy and water resources and their conservation and actively engaging them in this endeavor.

We have launched an awareness campaign with tips for saving water on campus, in dorms, or at home. Posters were placed in restrooms and on bulletin boards throughout LAU, coupled with a short video on campus TV screens, the LAU website, and social media channels.

Water Conservation

At LAU, sustainability extends beyond campus boundaries, embracing the shared responsibility to protect vital resources such as water. LAU actively promotes water conservation through initiatives like Every Drop Counts, a campaign designed to inspire positive daily actions among students, faculty, and staff. Complementing this effort is the Green Pledge, a commitment to adopt small, impactful lifestyle changes that collectively drive significant environmental benefits.

To date, 384 individuals have joined LAU’s Committed Green Community by taking the Green Pledge. These members are leading the charge in fostering a culture of sustainability, both on and off campus. By aligning personal choices with institutional goals, we demonstrate how simple yet intentional efforts—like those highlighted in LAU’s water conservation video—can contribute to a greener future for everyone.

Water Extraction Technologies

LAU is committed to sustainable water management through innovative technologies and practices on both its Beirut and Byblos campuses. Recognizing the environmental impact of water extraction and usage, LAU employs integrated systems to optimize water resources while reducing reliance on unsustainable methods.

On the Beirut campus, water for domestic, potable, and irrigation purposes is stored in strategically placed tanks with a total capacity of 2,200 m³. Advanced systems, such as roof stormwater and condensate collection tanks, supplement irrigation needs, ensuring that resources are conserved. Stormwater and sanitary drainage are managed through separate networks that discharge responsibly into municipal systems.

Meanwhile, the Byblos campus leads with sustainable irrigation practices by prioritizing treated wastewater from its central treatment plants. Supplemented by well water only when necessary, this approach is managed by automation controls integrated into the campus’s Building Management System. Additionally, stormwater is responsibly discharged, and wastewater is treated and reused for irrigation and fire-fighting purposes, reducing environmental strain.

These efforts highlight LAU’s holistic approach to water sustainability, aligning infrastructure with environmental responsibility while ensuring that campus operations meet their needs sustainably.

Physical Facilities –Beirut Campus Utilities

Domestic, Irrigation and Potable Water

Water on the Beirut campus is stored in several locations and pumped to dedicated storage tanks serving each building. The total storage capacity is 2,200 m³.

Water treatment plants provide building occupants with adequate drinking water. Irrigation water is stored in dedicated tanks that are also fed by roof storm water and condensate drain collection.

Storm and Sanitary Drainage

Storm water is collected from buildings and terraces and discharged into the municipal network. The sanitary drainage in Beirut campus is collected and discharged into the municipality’s sewage network.

Physical Facilities – Byblos Campus Utilities

https://fm.lau.edu.lb/physical-facilities/utilities/byblos.php

Our campus irrigation needs are met via:

1- the treated waste water from our central wastewater treatment plant

2- on site well water

The system is designed in a such a way to give priority to the treated wastewater reuse, and the wells are used to supplement irrigation needs only when there is shortage form the first source.

This is achieved through automation controls from our Building Management System

Collaborations on Water Security

LAU actively collaborates with local, regional, national, and international governments and organizations to address water security challenges. Through innovative research and strategic partnerships, LAU contributes to sustainable solutions for water management and pollution control, while fostering knowledge transfer and capacity building in Lebanon and beyond.

For instance, LAU’s School of Pharmacy is part of the Erasmus+ funded Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals (SWaTH) project, working with European and Lebanese institutions to enhance hospital wastewater management in Lebanon. This initiative aims to mitigate the environmental impact of medical wastewater while aligning with global best practices.

Additionally, LAU has partnered with the Litani River Authority and USAID to combat pollution in the Litani River Basin, one of Lebanon’s critical water resources. Projects have focused on introducing anaerobic digestion technologies to treat industrial wastewater, reduce contamination, and generate sustainable energy. These efforts align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and provide practical solutions for protecting vulnerable communities.

Through these initiatives, LAU demonstrates its commitment to addressing water security challenges in partnership with governments and organizations at all levels.

New Hope for Hospital Wastewater Treatment in Lebanon

https://news.lau.edu.lb/2022/new-hope-for-hospital-wastewater-treatment-in-lebanon.php

LAU is collaborating with a number of European and Lebanese institutions toward bringing sustainable cutting-edge solutions to the country.

The School of Pharmacy (SOP) at LAU has joined forces with a consortium of local and European institutions in a capacity-building three-year project that aims to promote safe hospital wastewater management in Lebanon.

Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, Sustainable Wastewater Treatment for Hospitals (SWaTH) presents a valuable opportunity for knowledge transfer between European institutions and Lebanese universities, coordinated by the University of Balamand’s Dr. Makram El Bachawati.

The project aims to examine current practices of hospital wastewater treatment in Lebanon, particularly of wastewater produced from cytotoxic drugs and dialysis units, with a view to improving them.

Environmental Engineering and Water Resources Cluster.

https://soe.lau.edu.lb/research/research-clusters.php

The aim of this cluster is to develop innovative solutions that address environmental challenges related to air pollution and climate change as well as water quality, availability and sustainability. Research in environmental engineering and water resources plays a critical role in promoting sustainable and resilient water systems capable of supporting the human and ecological needs. Research in this area covers contaminants, water management and conservation, water supply systems, sustainable waste management, sustainable transportation and mobility, climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable building and construction as well as sustainable cities and human settlements. This area of research is timely and is continuously gaining momentum in the scientific community.

The activities of the “Environmental Engineering and Water Resources” research cluster are aligned with the sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG6) set by the United Nations under the title “Clean Water and Sanitation”.

In Lebanon, research in this area is of paramount importance given the poor management of the water resources, the high levels of pollution in lakes and rivers and the limited availability of water resources in some regions and their vulnerability to drought. Moreover, most cities in Lebanon suffer from high levels of air pollution and the country’s rich biodiversity is under threat from environmental degradation and climate change. Environmental engineering and water resources research can help Lebanon to protect its natural resources and manage its water resources in a way that ensures the availability of clean water for current and future generations. Moreover, research in this field can help support the development of sustainable agriculture practices that can increase crop yields and boost rural livelihoods.

Members of the cluster: Dr. Mahmoud Wazne and Dr. Jean Chatila. Supporting SOE faculty: Dr. Nissrine El-Hassan, Dr. Grace Abou-Jaoude, Dr. Marc Haddad and Dr. Pierrette Zouein.