On the brink of an acute crisis: how water shortages affect Turkey and its neighbours

The water crisis in Turkey has reached critical levels due to poor water management over the past decades. The construction of dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has not solved the problem, but has worsened the situation by reducing the flow of water to Iraq and Syria. This has led to a significant reduction in water levels in many reservoirs and rivers, affecting agriculture and electricity production. As the crisis worsens, Turkey faces an uncertain future. The whole situation is causing water to become increasingly scarce, polluted and expensive, affecting the health and well-being of millions of people. Preventive measures such as the use of water-saving technology, the development of water supply infrastructure, pollution prevention and education on proper water use are necessary to help ensure a safe water supply in the Asian country.

Official data has found that the country has experienced a significant decline in the amount of usable water per person over the last couple of decades. In 2000, the average usable water per person was estimated to be 1,652 cubic metres, but by 2020 that figure had fallen to 1,346 cubic metres, a reduction of 18.7 per cent. This decline reflects a growing trend of water scarcity in Turkey, which has been aggravated by factors such as climate change, overexploitation of water resources and human impact on aquatic ecosystems.

The Volkenmark Water Scarcity Index ranks countries according to the amount of water available per capita. Countries with less than 1,700 cubic metres of water per capita are classified as "stressed". Turkey has a per capita water quantity of 1,200 cubic metres, which means it is seriously stressed. This is a warning sign for the country, as desertification is a likely outcome. The International Panel on Climate Change predicted that 60% of the country's area would be subject to desertification if the amount of water per capita decreases.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has warned of water shortages in Turkey's largest cities. The reservoirs that supply water to Istanbul have fallen to an unprecedented level, reaching 25% of their capacity. This has led to the need to limit local water consumption. Levent Kurnaz, a climate expert at Bosphorus University, has stated that the available water is insufficient to meet the city's demands. In addition, low water levels have affected water quality, which means that Istanbul residents will have to limit their consumption. WWF has also reported similar water shortages in Izmir, Ankara and other Turkish cities.

Turkey has also taken some steps to address climate change. These include increasing renewable energy production by 15 per cent by 2030. The government is also increasing efforts to protect its forests by creating a carbon fund to offset greenhouse gas emissions, as well as initiating a programme to improve energy efficiency and reduce fossil fuel consumption. The government has also launched a lake restoration project, which includes the restoration of several dry lakes, such as Lake Marmara.

Jim Altibermack, the attorney representing the group, has pointed out that dam construction and overuse of farms near the lake have contributed to its demise. Despite pleas from local residents for action, local water officials have taken no action. As a result, Turkish farmers continue to practice conventional irrigation instead of opting for drip or sprinkler irrigation, leading to significant water wastage. This affects agriculture in the long term, as the Aegean and the Black Sea, which are two of the country's main water resources, are increasingly polluted. The Turkish government must take steps to address this situation, such as promoting innovative projects to increase the efficiency of agricultural irrigation and fostering a culture of water conservation. The ruling Justice and Development Party ignores expert opinion and pursues its own agenda, often without considering the consequences. This has led to a series of human tragedies and environmental crises that could have been avoided if the executive had taken into account expert opinion.