re:WATERwater strategies for the Lebanese Coast

In 2050, water will be the most valuable ressource in the Middle East. In Lebanon, the high rates of rainfall are lost by the lack of water harvesting.As of summer 2010, water demand exceeds supply by 3 times*. If not addressed, this gap will turn into conflict.*Source: G. Yamout and M. El-Fadel. An Optimization Approach for Multi-Sectoral Water Supply Management in the Greater Beirut Area (2005)

This project envisions alternatives to

grow clean water on the Lebanese Coast by transforming its 17 coastal rivers into living systems that will treat 100% of the coast’s wastewater and stormwater. Treated water will be reused by the coastal cities, creating closed water loops that sustain the future water demand on the coast.

only 30% of their water demand is provided*

60% of Lebanese live on the Coast

70% of their consumption is for non potable usage*.

0%of consumed water is reused

fact

*Source: G. Yamout and M. El-FadelAn Optimization Approach for Multi-Sectoral Water Supply Management in the Greater Beirut Area(2005)

only 30% of their water demand is provided

60% of Lebanese live on the Coast

water reuse can provide 70% of water demand

100% of consumed water is reused

rainwater reuse could provide 20% of water demand*

wastewater reuse could provide 50% of water demand*

70% of their consumption is for non potable usage*

0%of consumed water is reused

opportunity

*Source: G. Yamout and M. El-FadelAn Optimization Approach for Multi-Sectoral Water Supply Management in the Greater Beirut Area(2005)

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ESRIVERS ASLIVINGSYSTEMSTREATMENT +RECYCLING

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by 2050, the Coast will turn into a LIVING SYSTEMthat treats and recycles 100 % of its own water through its 17 coastal rivers.

vision

COASTAL RIVERS AS

LIVING SYSTEMS

constructed wetlands

green open space

organic farms

biking & walking trails

flora & fauna corridors fishing ponds

marshes

urban parcs

recreation space

forests

dunes

aquatic systems

storage ponds

natural reserves

the Coast as Living SystemThe Coast will treat its wastewater and stormwater using micro-organisms, aquaculture, mollusks (snails and oysters) and plants.

treated water will be harvested and reused by the city

RIVER CITY

Closed Water Loop

LIVING SYSTEM CLEANS WATER

TREATED WATER IS REUSED

SEA

70% of non-potable water consumption

INDUSTRY

AGRICULTURE

HOUSEHOLD

RAIN

CITY

Living system type 1 : Living Machines*living machines are ecological treatments that use micro-organism, aquatic & wetlands processes to treat wastewater naturally.

*Source: Ocean Arks International, Living Machines.

1 2 3 4 5 6

pre-treatmentprimary

treatmentsecondarytreatment

Tidal FlowWetlands

Vertical FlowWetlands

Water ReuseStorage

from citywastewater

contaminated clean

to city

reused water

Living system type 2 : Wetlands*

Wetlands are constructed landscapes that filter and clean stormwater and urban runoff biologically.

*Source: Ocean Arks International, Living Machines.

1 2 3 4 5

pre-treatmentstorage tank

controlbox

sub-surface flow wetland disposal & drainage wetland

Water ReuseTank

stormwaterrainwater

contaminated clean

to city

reused water

RAIN

Anatomy of a coastal river as a living systemurban lower basin

local living systems for local water reuse

high density agglomeration low density agglomeration

suburban upper basin

term

inal

w

ater

fro

nt p

ark

sea

source

source

LIVING SYSTEM 1 LIVING SYSTEM 1

LIVING SYSTEM 2LIVING SYSTEM 2

wetlands

wetlands

wetlands

wetlands pedestrian trailspedestrian trails

pedestrian trailspedestrian trails

RAINRAIN

sea

connect to existing parks and pedestrial trails

connect to existing parks and pedestrial trails

Nahr Beirut as a living system

canal

stormwater living systems

storage ponds

treating wetlands

reuse tanks

stormwater living systems

LOCAL ROADLOCAL ROAD

storage ponds

=flood mitigation network

river opens up to city

decanalize Nahr Beirut

wastewater living systems

*Source: CDR. www.cdr.gov.lb

40000m3/day treated wastewater*

Nahr Beirut winterday average flow

continuous flow in Nahr Beirut

all year round

living systems

=local living machines

treating wetlands

aquaculture

public space systems

parcs

bridges

platforms

trails

living system as public space

CIVICPERFORMATIVE