How do I get a water subscription in Lebanon and what does it cost?

Also asked as: “water subscription lebanon” · “How much is a new water meter in Beirut or Mount Lebanon?” · “Water establishment subscription fee” · “How do I put the water subscription in my name?”

Who gives you a water subscription#

In Beirut and Mount Lebanon, water subscriptions are handled by the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment, which runs distribution offices with cash desks^[1,2]. We did not research the North, South and Bekaa establishments, and the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Establishment's own website could not be reached when we checked.

That leaves real gaps. We found no published fee table, no list of required documents and no step-by-step procedure for a new subscription^[1,2]. Ask the distribution office that covers the address for all of it. If you are abroad, someone you trust can ask for you; have them write the answers down and keep a copy.

New subscription or a change of name#

These are two different requests. A new subscription is for a building or unit that has none, and its 2026 discount depends on the type: 28% off a flat-rate gauge subscription, 15% off a metered one^[1,2]. A name change is for a flat that already has a subscription in someone else's name, which is the usual case when you buy. In 2026 the Establishment cut that fee, and the fee for renewing a temporary subscription, by 90%. For electricity, see moving an EDL meter into your name.

In a new building, the water paperwork matters for the title too. A provisional occupancy permit allows a temporary water connection and living in the unit, but it is not valid for final subdivision, sale or final registration^[3]. To split a building into separate flats with their own titles, the registry needs an occupancy permit plus electricity and water connection certificates^[4], except for units subdivided under Law 539/1996 Art. 26. Keep the connection papers. More in getting your own title deed in a new building.

What it costs, and what water really costs#

We can give you the 2026 discounts but not the subscription price itself. For a sense of scale, Al-Sifr reported in August 2026 on a 2019 study of 105 households in Aicha Bakkar and Verdun, which put water costs from all sources at about USD 2,124 a year vs USD 200 subscription (2019)^[5]. In that study, tankers, wells and bottled water supplied 22% of the volume but 88% of the cost. These are old figures from two Beirut neighbourhoods, not a current national price.

Many connected homes still buy water. In a 2024 survey of 600 network-connected households reported by Al-Sifr, the share that also bought tanker water was 41.7% (66.3% in Beirut)^[5]. MTV reported tankers costing USD 120 or more per tanker in some areas (August 2026)^[6], with no unified tariff. Before you buy or rent, ask the neighbours how many days a week the network supplies water and how often they order a tanker. See what tanker water costs.

Old bills and arrears#

The Establishment put its 2026 bills into collection from 7 January 2026^[1,2]. Reports differ on the 2026 instalment offer: Alhadeel (January 2026) says up to three instalments by December 2026, and MTV (September 2026) says up to four. The later report may reflect an updated announcement, so confirm at a distribution office. Charges for years before 2026 can be paid in instalments, with the period ending no later than December 2028.

Late fines for 2025 and earlier are 85% waived. The waiver covers the fines, not the charges, and no end date was stated^[1,2]. Details are in paying the 2026 water bill.