WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution has been an issue in Lebanon and around the world for several years. In this blog you will learn about Lebanon’s water situation and how to fix it.
Introduction
The water quality in Lebanon poses a big risk on the environment and our health. Unfortunately, these risks are already present… all kinds of pollution eventually make their way into water. Water pollution can cause disease or poisons such as cholera or diarrhea. Cholera is an illness found in maltreated water; any person can get cholera by drinking water contaminated with the bacteria.
CHOLERA
based on a report of Aljazeera published in October the Lebanese ministry warned of a cholera outbreak that was and still spreading rapidly. This outbreak is due to the lack of proper sewage networks and clean drinking water the government is blaming the economic and politic crises Lebanon is going through.
Water Quality in rivers
The water Quality differs on the rivers and between the seasons water pollution is at its highest in the summer but is still high in the winter. For example, in 11 rivers in Lebanon (Beirut, Antelias, Damour, Awali, Arka, Litani, Kadisha, Nahr Ibrahim, Orontes, nahr al Kabir, nahr al bared) have been found with microbiological contamination due to the lack of maintenance and the untreated wastewater.
In Kabir River scientist have found zinc, strontium, chromium. Sadly the litany river one of the principals, well known river suffers of high level of pollution. Moreover, the coastal sea in Lebanon is also highly affected by pollution and the discharge of wastewater and solid waste around 65% of wastewater is discharged into the sea via 53 locations near the shore. In bekaa valey nitrate pollution is a mojor threat to the algaculture and health. Many areas have been banned from fishing because of more than 40 tons of dead fish!
Water check/experiment
Spotshot a news website based in Lebanon did an experiment to see how clean is the water we drink. They bought 5 water gallons from different places in Beirut and took them to a lab to check if they follow the qualifications of the government (if they are drinkable). The first tested water which was from “family water” contained several bacteria one of called “total coliform” which make the water not drinkable the second water they checked was clean, The next one and the last water checked made them conclude that it was sewer water as well.
How can media help improve the situation and play an influential role on a macro and micro level?
Macroanlysis transmition of values awareness about the subject warning surveillance (beware of the threat)Linkage poeple are united for a cause
Microanalysis cognition (acquiring knowledge about the topic) social utility (discuss it together)
Cultural approach politics world issues are related to politics
How can technology improve our water?
To create real solutions that can help individuals in need of clean drinking water, creative thinking is necessary. The development of new technology is crucial to resolving the water situation. Lifestraw a tiny, low-cost microfiltration equipment effectively eliminates 99.9% of germs.
Furthermore, this gadget is portable because it only weighs 2 ounces. The LifeStraw can filter 264 liters of water down to 0.2 microns, and the business that created this significant technology also donates one child a year’s worth of safe drinking water for every straw it sells. LifeStraw’s technology has the ability to make it easier for countless communities with limited water supplies to access clean, fresh drinking water.
Water pollution 