The water levels in dams’ across Turkey are at record lows due to the lack of precipitation, leakage in water supply pipelines, and a 14 percent increase in water usage due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to data provided by the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI), Istanbul dam’s water level is at a record low. Similar data came from Ankara’s Water and Sewerage Administration (ASKI). Statistics available through Turkey’s state data portal indicate that a number dams' water levels in Ankara are as low as 7.2 percent full.
As ASKI announced that the water level of Ankara dams was only 20.91 percent on January 5th, Ankara’s Mayor Mansur Yavaş tweeted that the city only has enough water for another 110 days, also stating that the city is planning a gradual price increase for monthly water bills of 10 cubic meters or higher.
Similarly ISKI stated that the dams and ponds which source İstanbul's water supply are only 19.62 percent full. According to expert calculations, including those of the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), the city only has enough water for another 45 days, or at best two months.
Regarding the problem, Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu said, “We have to be careful and save water. I am calling on citizens to be more cautious while using water and not use it in excessive amounts.”