Municipal meetings and visits to nine dairy factories lay the groundwork for practical measures to reduce wastewater pollution.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) is working with municipalities and dairy producers to address pollution affecting the Upper Litani River and Qaraoun Lake. Since the start of its DIMFE-funded freshwater restoration project, the team has held meetings across the target villages and visited local dairy facilities to understand their practices and needs.
Building cooperation with municipalities
Meetings with municipal representatives introduced the project’s objectives and planned activities, opened discussions on local priorities and established a basis for collaboration. Municipalities provide an essential link between the project, local businesses and residents, helping connect pollution prevention with community needs.
The outreach included meetings with the municipalities of Ghazze, Saghbine and Baaloul.
Understanding wastewater challenges at nine dairy factories
Field visits identified nine small and medium-sized dairy factories in the target area. Dairy processing generates wastewater that can place considerable pressure on municipal treatment systems when discharged without appropriate pre-treatment.
Working directly with producers helps the team understand current practices and identify feasible ways to reduce pollution at its source.
Preparing for practical action
The meetings and visits provide a foundation for technical assessments, recommendations tailored to individual factories and pilot solutions to improve wastewater management. Planned work will also explore opportunities to recover and reuse whey.
These activities form part of “Sustainable Water Ecosystems Restoration: Reviving the Upper Litani River and Qaraoun Lake,” implemented by SPNL with support from the Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE). The project brings municipalities, industries and communities together to protect freshwater ecosystems.
