By Jennifer Hattam, Thomson Reuters Foundation
7 Min Read Farming eats up nearly 75% of annual consumption Opposition mayors have pledged new water-management policies
ISTANBUL, May 10 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Last winter, the massive dams and reservoirs that supply water to Istanbul’s 15 million residents fell to critically low levels, sparking fears of shortages.
Late-arriving snow and rain ultimately gave Turkey’s largest city a reprieve.
But water and climate experts say the country’s water worries are far from over – and more dams are part of the problem.
“Instead of trying to reduce our water demand, or decrease the amount lost through broken pipes and leaks, we are just focused on creating more supply by building new dams,” said Akgun Ilhan, a water management expert at the Istanbul Policy Center.
Climate shifts and rising demand leave Turkey water stressed
By Jennifer Hattam / Thomson Reuters Foundation, ISTANBUL, Turkey
Last winter, the massive dams and reservoirs that supply water to Istanbul’s 15 million residents fell to critically low levels, sparking fears of shortages.
Late-arriving snow and rain ultimately gave Turkey’s largest city a reprieve.
However, water and climate experts say that the country’s water worries are far from over and more dams are part of the problem.
“Instead of trying to reduce our water demand, or decrease the amount lost through broken pipes and leaks, we are just focused on creating more supply by building new dams,” said Akgun Ilhan, a water management expert at the Istanbul Policy Center.
WORLD / EUROPE
Changing tide
By Reuters Published: May 10, 2021 06:43 PM In winter of 2020, the massive dams, and reservoirs that supply water to Istanbul s 15 million residents fell to critically low levels, sparking fears of shortages.
Flamingos and storks are seen at Dikilitas Pond in Golbasi district of Ankara, Turkey, on July 7, 2020. Photo: VCGLate-arriving snow and rain ultimately gave Turkey s largest city a reprieve. But water and climate experts say the country s water worries are far from over - and more dams are part of the problem. Instead of trying to reduce our water demand, or decrease the amount lost through broken pipes and leaks, we are just focused on creating more supply by building new dams, said Akgun Ilhan, a water management expert at the Istanbul Policy Center.
Rising demand and poor management leaves Turkey with a water headache 10 May 2021 - 16:13 Jennifer Hattam Picture: THINKSTOCK
Istanbul Last northern hemisphere winter the huge dams and reservoirs that supply water to Istanbul’s 15-million residents fell to critically low levels, sparking fears of shortages.
Late-arriving snow and rain ultimately gave Turkey’s largest city a reprieve.
But water and climate experts say the country’s water worries are far from over and more dams are part of the problem.
“Instead of trying to reduce our water demand, or decrease the amount lost through broken pipes and leaks, we are just focused on creating more supply by building new dams,” said Akgun Ilhan, a water management expert at the Istanbul Policy Centre.
Per-person water availability is declining in Turkey Farming eats up nearly 75% of annual consumption Opposition mayors have pledged new water-management policies
By Jennifer Hattam
ISTANBUL, May 10 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Last winter, the massive dams and reservoirs that supply water to Istanbul s 15 million residents fell to critically low levels, sparking fears of shortages.
Late-arriving snow and rain ultimately gave Turkey s largest city a reprieve.
But water and climate experts say the country s water worries are far from over – and more dams are part of the problem. Instead of trying to reduce our water demand, or decrease the amount lost through broken pipes and leaks, we are just focused on creating more supply by building new dams, said Akgun Ilhan, a water management expert at the Istanbul Policy Center.