Why Do We Still Buy Water in a Country Full of Water Resources?
In a country blessed with rivers, springs, and rich underground reserves, you’d expect households to rely confidently on public water. Yet in Lebanon, buying private water has become a normal part of daily life.

So the question is: Why are we paying for water we already have?
The answer lies in the uneven quality and reliability of our water networks.

The visual above breaks down the condition of water networks across seven major regions: Akkar, Mount Lebanon, Baalbek, South, North, Nabatieh, and Beqaa, revealing how infrastructure disparities shape people’s behavior and trust in public supply.

Akkar: Highest Number of Failing Networks
Akkar stands out with the highest number of bad water networks. This region exemplifies how underinvestment and aging infrastructure translate into unreliable service, forcing residents to rely on purchased water.

Mount Lebanon & Baalbek: Large Numbers, Mixed Performance
Mount Lebanon and Baalbek also show significant numbers of inadequate systems. While Mount Lebanon has more water networks, Baalbek’s proportion of poor networks remains notable, highlighting persistent gaps in maintenance and service coverage.

Nabatieh, South, & North Lebanon: Consistent Challenges
Nabatieh, South, and North Lebanon exhibit a notable share of failing networks despite having fewer networks than the top regions. Supply interruptions and water quality concerns remain key issues here.

Beqaa: Smaller Region, Still Affected
Even in regions with fewer total networks like Beqaa, the presence of inadequate networks impacts daily life, showing that no region is entirely immune to water system challenges.

Why This Matters
These disparities underline one truth: Lebanon’s water problem isn’t about water scarcity. It’s about infrastructure. Some regions need urgent upgrades, while others require long-term strategies to prevent deterioration.

With accurate data, policymakers and organizations can prioritize investments in the areas that need them most, restoring public trust and reducing dependence on trucked water, with prices that skyrocket, especially in summer.

Final Thought
Lebanon doesn’t lack water. It lacks stable, equitable access to it. Understanding where the gaps are, like those highlighted in this visual, is the first step toward ensuring that every household receives clean, reliable water.