Keserwan wastewater project underway

European Investment Bank offers $96 million-loan for wastewater treatment

The Parliament ratified a loan agreement signed with the European Investment Bank in order to fund a wastewater management project in Keserwan region.
The investment bank will offer a loan of €70 million ($96 million) to the project.

The project involves building a central plant for wastewater management in Jbeil. It also comprises the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, sewerage network, and sea outfall in Tabarja, near Jounieh.

The project will be finalized in 2013. Its total cost is €210 million (around $289 million). The government and other donor institutions will provide €120 million. The French Agency for Development has provided €20 million.

The water infrastructure in Keserwan will improve sanitation services to the region. It will prevent untreated water from being discharged into the sea. The project is part of the National Action Plan for pollution reduction.

The Keserwan water treatment facilities will also benefit from €4 million of technical assistance from the European Commission through the Neighborhood Investment Facility.