Official launch of the Ultra-sonic algae control devices and algae monitoring stations in Lake Qaraoun, Lebanon

On 19 September 2018, the official inauguration of the 11 buoys took place on location at Lake Qaraoun. In the capacity as President of the Supervisory Board, I represented World Waternet at that occasion.

The ultrasound algae monitoring and control stations (buoys) in Lake Qaraoun have been functioning since early August already demonstrated good results. This activity has been realised in close cooperation between World Waternet (WWn) and Litani River Authority (LRA) under the programme Strengthening Lebanese Water and Agriculture Sector (SLWAS) funded by the Netherlands’ Government. Litani River and Lake Qaraoun are very important sources for irrigation water in Lebanon, but the water is highly polluted, including by harmful toxins from blue algae.

One of the Ultra-sonic algae control devices in action

Seeing is believing

On a beautiful day we gathered at the waterfront of Lake Qaraoun, to join a boat trip to inspect the buoys. Besides representatives of WWn, LRA and the Dutch company LG Sonic that invented the concept and installed the stations, there were representatives of several Ministries, Mayors of surrounding municipalities, the media, donor agencies and NGOs.  The visual inspection of several stations was followed by Q&As on the boat. Lisa Brand, representative of LG Sonic explained the functioning of the buoys and addressed several questions related to maintenance, the effect on benign algae in the lake and the (positive) effect on fish in the lake.

 Lisa Brand (LG Sonic) explains about the functioning and monitoring of the buoys

First results

The monitoring data produced by the ultrasound stations have already shown a considerable positive effect, such as a significant decrease in harmful algae blooming. People living around the lake have observed an improvement in the colour of the lake and the bad smell of the water has disappeared.  Dr Kamal, a microbiologist who has been involved in monitoring the water quality of Lake Qaraoun for decades also joined the boat trip and took another of his bi-weekly samples; his regular microbiological analyses form a kind of parallel monitoring and also show already good results. The official part of the inauguration took place in Chalet du Lac, with a beautiful view over the lake and the 11 buoys. There were speeches by Dr. Alawieh General Director of LRA (represented by one of his Directors), Jan Waltmans  Netherlands Ambassador to Lebanon, Richard Oudhuis Project manager World Waternet, Lisa Brand LG Sonic  and Dr. Kamal.

Jan Waltmans, the Netherlands Ambassador to Lebanon, officially hits the start button for gathering data on water quality

Further action is needed

The results over the initial period are very promising, but there are also several challenges ahead and more action is needed to restore the water quality completely. In order to cover the entire lake, another 11 buoys are needed. Effective arrangements for maintenance have to be made. Also further action is needed to address the real cause: the pollution by upstream industries and agriculture. The Mayors of the municipalities around Lake Qaraoun have an important role to play in convincing the community, including the fisherman, of the importance of this intervention. Hopefully the upcoming winter season will bring enough water/snow, so that the lake can fill to a normal level.  

 Accumulation of algae clearly visible on the shores of the Litani River