Lebanon Water and Wastewater Sector Support Quarterly Report Y4 Q4

(DAI). The program provides technical assistance and related services to impact USAID/Lebanon's Assistance Objective (AO) 4 - "Improved water services for all in Lebanon" - and the corresponding Intermediate Results (IRs) - more efficient management of water resources, improved water infrastructure, and enhanced water governance. The program works in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Water (MOEW) to assist Lebanon's four Water Establishments (WEs) in strengthening their capacity to deliver high-quality and sustainable services. The areas of focus that LWWSS targets in working with the WEs include building management capacity, increasing financial management capacity and financial system integration, procuring equipment to complement technical assistance and capacity building, business planning to increase capital planning and benchmarking capacity, funding urgent infrastructure works to enhance delivery or access and coverage, and developing a corporate culture, customer service orientation, and public outreach programs. During the period from July 2013 to September 2013, USAID supplied and started installation of over 200 source meters in 185 locations of the South Lebanon Water Establishment (SLWE) departments. USAID also built the capacity of personnel at the Beirut-Mount Lebanon Water Establishment's (BMLWE) Jeita pump station, serving more than 186,000 water users. Additionally, USAID rehabilitated a major pump station for BMLWE, serving more than 186,000 citizens. USAID also built the capacity of seven employees at the Financial and Accounting departments at the North Lebanon Water Establishment (NLWE) in Internal Audit. Furthermore, USAID developed Budget and Cost Tariff Manuals and implemented capacity building for the Beirut-Mount Lebanon Water Establishment Financial department. The program has made significant progress in building management capacity within the WEs, increasing financial management capacity and financial system integration, procuring equipment to complement technical assistance and capacity building, business planning to increase capital planning and benchmarking capacity, funding urgent infrastructure works to enhance delivery or access and coverage, and developing a corporate culture, customer service orientation, and public outreach programs. The program has also collaborated with donors and GOL officials, including the Ministry of Energy and Water, to ensure that the program's objectives are aligned with the government's priorities. The program has also used funds during the quarter to support the implementation of the Year Four Work Plan. The program has faced several challenges, including staff shortages and an aging workforce, poor customer relations, low tariffs that fail to recover operating costs, lack of metering, excessive non-revenue water, and underinvestment in the water and wastewater infrastructure. However, the program has made significant progress in addressing these challenges and has developed a comprehensive plan to overcome them. The program has also planned several major activities for the next quarter, including the implementation of the Year Four Work Plan, the development of a corporate culture, customer service orientation, and public outreach programs, and the funding of urgent infrastructure works to enhance delivery or access and coverage. The program has also reported on its environmental compliance and has provided a summary of the Year Four Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) data table. The program has also listed its LWWSS counterparts and primary contacts, including the Beirut-Mount Lebanon Water Establishment, the Bekaa Valley Water Establishment, the North Lebanon Water Establishment, the South Lebanon Water Establishment, and the Ministry of Energy and Water.