Once a lifeline now a challenge. That is the story of the Ghadir River.
The Ghadir River is a small river in Lebanon. It is located south of Beirut. Its Arabic name is Nahr Al-Ghadir. This means “rivulet”.
Before the 1950s, the Ghadir River flowed through an agricultural landscape. The Sahra Choueifat area was known for its olive groves. Locals recall producing high-quality olive oil here. People used to swim in the clean water and enjoy picnics. Families from Beirut would gather along the river on weekends. There were olive pressers and watermills along the riverbanks.
Between 1950 and 1975, the area transformed. Rural-urban migration increased the population. Large factories were built. Industrial activities intensified along the riverbanks.
During the civil war from 1975 to 1990, even more people migrated to the area. The Hay El-Sellom neighborhood grew rapidly. Informal housing sprung up near the Beirut airport. This attracted low-income families. Warfare in 1976, 1978, and 1982 led to further displacement. The population increased. A housing market developed close to the Al-Ghadir River.
Today, the Ghadir River is Lebanon’s most polluted river. It is polluted since the early 1990s. In 2017, it was declared as sewage water. The river acts as a sewer and storm water conveyor. Households and industries discharge untreated wastewater into it. Tile factories and sand washing plants are examples.
The Ghadir River often floods. Sewage water fills the streets. Many residents leave their homes because of this. Poorer residents cannot afford to leave. This creates further displacement.
Residents complain about poor services and health risks. High rates of asthma and skin diseases are common in children. This is blamed on the Ghadir River. Many residents live in metal houses with weak infrastructure. These homes are flooded by the polluted water. Safety is also a concern. One woman reported that her child drowned during a flood.
Numerous projects have attempted to improve the river’s condition. These projects have had little success. A 146.5 million euro project was launched in 2014. It aimed to clean the river and improve living conditions. The project included rehabilitating the wastewater treatment plant. It also planned to construct a sewerage system. The project was scheduled for completion in 2024. However, progress has been slow. Delays and funding issues have plagued the project.
The Ghadir River stands as a reminder of environmental challenges. Cleaning up the Ghadir River requires sustained effort and investment.