The water level in the 10 dams that meet Istanbul’s water needs is decreasing every day due to the dry and rainy summer months. In Kırklareli’s Vize district, where Trakya provides water to Istanbul, the water level in the Kazandere, Pabuçdere, and Istrancalar dams has reached its lowest levels in recent years. Kazandere, at 5.31%, has hit rock bottom, with animals now grazing in the dried parts of the dam.
Professor Dr. Lokman Hakan Tecer, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University in Çorlu, mentioned a significant decrease in the dams feeding Istanbul due to the drought caused by the excessively hot and rainless summer months. He pointed out that not only have the water levels in the dams decreased significantly, but there has also been a decrease in rainfall over the past 10 years, with a decrease from 860 kilograms per square meter to 450 kilograms per square meter in 2024.
Tecer also highlighted the increase in water consumption despite the decrease in rainfall, stating that while 2.5 million cubic meters of water were consumed daily ten years ago, today the daily water consumption has risen to 3.9 million cubic meters. He emphasized that this trend, along with the decrease in rainfall, is putting immense pressure on water reserves. Although there is an expectation of increased rainfall in the upcoming winter, with the current water levels in Istanbul and the daily water consumption rate, the city may only have 102 days of water supply left.
According to Tecer, it is crucial for individuals to use water efficiently, adapting their lifestyles to suit the dry conditions and imminent water scarcity. He suggested incorporating water-saving practices into school curricula from childhood, and emphasized the importance of institutions managing water resources responsibly. Tecer also stressed the need for reclaimed and gray water to be used for activities such as garden and vehicle washing in cities like Istanbul, and for industrial water to be recycled for processes.
Tecer noted that while rainfall is expected in the fall and winter months, if current conditions persist, the city of Istanbul may face water shortages in the near future. The water levels in the dams that supply Istanbul’s water were measured at 37.64%, with varying levels of water in each dam. Urging for immediate action and responsible water management, Tecer emphasized the need to conserve water resources and implement sustainable practices to prevent a water crisis in the future.
