Why were underground water sources important to the early settlement of Beirut?

The name Beirut is derived from the Canaanite word Be’erot, which means "wells." This name highlights the fundamental importance of the local water table to the city's early settlement.1

These underground water sources were essential because they provided a reliable water supply for the inhabitants, a necessity that remains relevant as the local population continues to tap into these same sources for general use today.12