“Drop by drop, our water tank was filled, as we truly discovered that every drop of water matters”.
In light of the hardships facing the entire region, it is never late or unlike for glimmers of hope to shine through, and in the realm of water conservation, innovation becomes a symbol of hope.
As part of the WASH program implemented by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training in partnership with UNICEF, LOST’s WASH team along with the community mobilizer “Abboud Nayef El Hassan” worked together with “Habib Hassoun” and “Khamees El Mohamad” at refugee Camp in Taibeh Baalbek (013), to construct a rainwater harvesting and filtration system.
Armed with determination and a passion for environmental conservation, Habib and Khamees began researching various rainwater harvesting techniques. They envisioned a system that not only provides a sustainable water source for the family, but also sets an example for other residents in the camp. This came about as a result of the constant follow up and Health Promotion sessions given by LOST’ WASH team, in which water conservation and storage was emphasized.
In order to create this system, a waterproof tent cover was placed between two tents and inclined in a way that rainwater pours into the water holding tank provided by LOST. The tank had a fine mesh screen on top to filter out debris and leaves. To ensure that collected rainwater was safe for reuse, LOST’s WASH team took the filtration process a step further. They ingeniously designed a filtration system using layers of sand, gravel, and activated charcoal. The rainwater passed through these natural filters, thus removing impurities and contaminants. This tank had a dual purpose: store rainwater for household use and provide irrigation for the lush vegetables and flowers.
The rainwater filtration system soon became a community project. The other residents of the site who participated in the construction of the system also became interested in creating their own versions of the same system.
Mohammad and Khamees’s remarkable innovation in rainwater harvesting within the confines of a refugee camp underscores the profound significance of pairing water conservation with inventive solutions. Their success serves as a reminder that even in challenging environments, the fusion of creativity and a commitment to preserving natural resources can yield transformative results.
