Damour has an agricultural profile. Bananas and vegetables are the main types of crops cultivated in the area. For this reason, the Damour River tends to be of socioeconomic significance since it is used for the irrigation of the agricultural plains. Two dams, upstream and down stream, were constructed to divert water for irrigation. Currently, the water is diverted at a rate of 1100 m³/hr down stream, and 650 m³/hr upstream. The overexploitation of river water by upstream users leads to downstream water shortages, especially during the summer season. This would affect agricultural activities in the deprived areas. Additionally, it induces conflicts between the Damour Municipality and upstream users, especially with the absence of proper legislation for water allocation. Moreover, environmental violations committed upstream affect the downstream river water quality, which in turn can adversely affect the crops in the plains.

It should be noted that the political instability in Lebanon led to the displacement of the majority of the Damour population. This caused the loss of the human and financial resources essential for the development of the area. Given the current relatively more stable situation, displaced population could return to Damour causing a large increase in water demand. Finally, the recent Saadiyat area lacks proper access to water supply. It was once reported that the village inhabitants do not have sufficient resources to pay municipality fees for water supply, and thus prefer to use their own private wells, reflecting an important socio-economic issue.