MWH wins Lebanese water supply contract

A feasibility study designed to underpin the initial $350-million phase of a larger project to divert water from the Awali River in south Lebanon to the country's capital, Beirut, will be undertaken by “wet infrastructure” specialist, MWH. The contract has been awarded by the Council for Development and Reconstruction and the World Bank. MWH will update a 1994 feasibility study, generating up-to-date cost estimates and “viable” routing options. The project is designed to solve water shortage problems in Beirut, which has a potable water demand of 780 million litres per day (MLD) and which faces deficits of more than 350 MLD during the driest month, October. The project is scheduled for completion in three years, with the first phase “expected to treat and transmit 260 MLD,” according to MWH. “The Awali-Beirut project is vital... to help this country alleviate its ongoing water shortages and sustain economic growth and prosperity,” commented president of MWH Middle East, Paul Boulos.

• MWH news release