Lebanon's Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, announced on Tuesday a major reform of the country's groundwater drilling licensing system, as part of an effort to improve water resource management.  The reform is being developed in collaboration with experts from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the American University of Beirut (AUB). A new cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Energy and AUB is in the works to support the initiative.  As part of the reform, the Ministry plans to launch an accreditation process for companies specializing in topographic and geological studies. These companies will assess the impact of drilling on both surface and groundwater resources and prepare detailed technical reports required for licensing. Companies will be selected based on a technical specifications document currently under development, in accordance with legal procedures.  While the new system is being set up, the Ministry of Energy and Water will continue to review drilling permit applications under the current framework to avoid delays for citizens during the transition. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: thisisbeirut.com.lb