Turkey is facing a severe water crisis that threatens the livelihoods of millions of people. This article will provide an in-depth look at the causes, effects, and potential solutions to Turkey’s alarming water shortage.
An Overview of the Crisis
-
Turkey is a water-stressed country with decreasing water availability. The amount of usable water per person has dropped from 1652 cubic meters in 2000 to 1346 cubic meters in 2020.
-
The largest cities like Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir are declared water-scarce. Istanbul’s reservoirs fell to their lowest level in 15 years in 2020.
-
60% of Turkey’s land area is prone to desertification according to the UN IPCC The Mediterranean coast is becoming drier and warmer due to climate change,
-
Farmers across the country are reporting crop failures and food shortages due to prolonged droughts, Lakes and rivers are shrinking rapidly,
Major Causes
Climate Change and Global Warming
-
Turkey has faced severe droughts since the 1980s due to climate change and global warming, Temperatures are 1,5°C higher compared to 50 years ago,
-
Lack of rainfall has reduced water levels in dams supplying major cities. Hotter and drier conditions cause more evaporation of reservoir water.
-
Mediterranean Basin is identified as a climate change hotspot by IPCC. Turkey’s location makes it highly vulnerable to rising temperatures.
Overpopulation and Unplanned Urbanization
-
Population growth and rural-urban migration has led to uncontrolled urban sprawl across Turkey. This has damaged water-retaining grasslands and wetlands.
-
Large-scale infrastructure projects like airports, factories and highways have also contributed to wetland losses.
Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
-
Switching to more water-intensive cash crops like sugar beet has depleted groundwater reserves across Turkey.
-
Outdated irrigation methods like open channels lead to 60% water losses from evaporation and runoff.
-
Wells are being drilled illegally to extract more groundwater for irrigation. This is unsustainable.
Water-Intensive Industries
-
Turkey’s push for industrialization and energy production has increased water demand multi-fold.
-
Industries like mining, manufacturing and tourism require water-intensive processes. This has strained limited supplies.
-
Hydroelectric dams built on rivers have disrupted flows and drained downstream aquifers.
Major Impacts
Drinking Water Shortages
-
Reduced rainfall and shrinking surface water bodies have put the drinking water supply of major cities at risk.
-
Reservoirs supplying Istanbul could run dry in the coming months if the drought persists. Water rationing might be needed.
Food Insecurity
-
Below-average harvests of wheat and other crops have increased Turkey’s reliance on imports. Food shortages could worsen.
-
Reduced productivity and income from agriculture threatens the livelihoods of farmers who comprise 20% of the workforce.
Biodiversity Loss
-
Wetland ecosystems and lakes have completely dried up leading to loss of habitats and species. Migratory bird populations are also affected.
-
Land degradation and desertification puts wildlife at risk. Fires can extensively damage forests.
Economic Losses
-
Water scarcity in industry and agriculture can result in major economic losses and negatively impact GDP.
-
Droughts combined with poor irrigation reduces crop yields. Farmers lose income and agricultural exports decline.
Potential Solutions
-
Improving irrigation systems and switching to efficient methods like drip irrigation. This can reduce agricultural water usage substantially.
-
Promoting less water-intensive crops and strategic crop rotation to give aquifers time to replenish.
-
Investing in large-scale water recycling and rainwater harvesting systems to increase supply.
-
Better watershed management and protection of wetlands & forests.
-
Stricter regulation of groundwater extraction and stopping illegal wells.
-
Public awareness campaigns to encourage water conservation.
-
Updating old infrastructure like leaky pipes to prevent losses.
-
Limiting urban expansion and population growth in water-stressed regions.
-
Increased cooperation with neighboring countries that share water resources.
Turkey needs urgent action and systematic changes to tackle this crisis. A mix of policy reforms, technology adoption and community participation is required to ensure water security. The government, private sector and citizens must work together to preserve water for current and future generations.
Water Crisis Spotlight Content
Water scarcity is a critical issue affecting Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, and it has become a major concern due to the limited water resources in the region. The three countries share the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and their shared dependence on these rivers has created several challenges for water management and conservation.
Agriculture is the primary consumer of water in the region, and all three countries rely heavily on it for their economies. Climate change has exacerbated the challenges, with prolonged droughts, more extreme storm events causing flooding, and rising temperatures.
In Turkey, water scarcity is particularly acute in the southeast region due to the construction of large dams and irrigation systems on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These projects have significantly reduced downstream water flow, leading to increased tensions with neighboring countries, especially Iraq and Syria, who rely on these rivers for their water supply.
Syria is facing a severe water shortages, with water resources severely depleted due to over-extraction, pollution, and the impact of the war on infrastructure. Many areas, including the capital city of Damascus, experience frequent water shortages and rely on trucked water or expensive private water sources. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many Syrians have been displaced from their homes and are living in temporary camps where water resources are even scarcer.
Iraq is also grappling with water scarcity and desertification, a long-standing issue exacerbated by years of conflict and inadequate water management practices. The countrys water infrastructure is outdated and poorly maintained, and many areas lack access to safe drinking water. The construction of large dams and irrigation systems in Turkey and Syria has reduced the water flow downstream, leading to conflicts with neighboring countries and even within Iraq, including in Kurdish controlled areas, where different regions and communities compete for limited water resources.
One of the significant drivers of the conflict in the region was the severe water shortages and reduction of diesel subsidies for pumping waters for farming, which led to economic hardships and social unrest, exacerbating existing tensions and grievances among the population. According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the drought that hit Syria between 2006 and 2011 was “the worst long-term drought and most severe set of crop failures since agricultural civilizations began in the Fertile Crescent many millennia ago”. The combination of water shortages and loss of diesel subsidies created a vicious cycle of poverty, unemployment, and discontent, which was exploited by extremist groups like ISIS to recruit and radicalize vulnerable individuals.
Water scarcity is a critical issue affecting Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, with severe implications for agriculture, public health, and regional stability. Addressing this problem requires a comprehensive and cooperative approach that takes into account the shared water resources and competing demands of these countries. Effective management and conservation of water resources, along with sustainable agricultural practices, are crucial to ensuring a more water-secure future for the region.
* This article was produced in part by generative assistive technologies, then edited and reviewed for accuracy by The Water Project staff.
Turkey’s water reservoirs at their lowest levels in 15 years | Turkey Drought | World News
FAQ
Why is Turkey having a water crisis?
What is the water conflict in Turkey?
What is the water crisis of Turkey’s own making?
Why is Istanbul running out of water?