On Thursday July 19 2018, the CNRS released to the public an extensive research about the cleanliness or otherwise of the Lebanese coast. This analysis is based on data collected from 25 different sources from the shore, including public beaches, rivers, rocky and sandy shores as well as locations close to factories. The samples were taken from the surface of the sea water to 50 cm deep and analyzed for bacterial colonies according to WHO standards, and split into two categories, Fecal Streptococci and Fecal Coliforms.
What information can we extract from this report and how does it relate to the public's many concerns when it comes to swimming in clean beaches? The WHO guidelines for safe recreational water environments divides water into 3 categories: good, average, poor. We won't focus on the average beaches, but will emphasize on the poor so we can be aware of what to avoid at all costs, as well as the clean beaches that we can safely go to.
The poor and polluted waters on the coast of Lebanon are Al Mina (Jazirat Abdul Wahab) in Tripoli, Antelias near the river exit (extremely polluted and at the bottom of the list), Al Manara Al Jadida in Beirut and Ramleh Al Bayda public beach in Beirut. The cleanest beaches however are in Minyeh, Tripoli next to Arab University, Deir Al Natour in Anfeh, Al Heri, Selaata, Batroun, Byblos, Fidar, Okaibi, Tabarja, Jounieh (Maameltein), fishermen's port in Beirut, Damour, Rmeileh, Tyre and Naqoura.
What we can deduct from this analysis is that despite the unfortunate existence of a few highly polluted areas along the shores of Lebanon, the clean and safe water is far more common and is in fact where most of the local beach goers choose to spend their summer days. Reports like this are essential to be made public so that we can make informed decisions on whether to enjoy the season instead of being taken into the stream of untrue panic that spirals relatively quickly.
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