17.12.2025 16:26
The average water level of the dams supplying water to Istanbul has decreased to 17.83%, the lowest level compared to the same period in the last 10 years. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros, a faculty member of the Department of Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering at ITU, who warned about the drought, stated, "We are facing a serious test regarding water. A water conservation campaign should be launched as soon as possible."
According to the data from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ), the water level in the dams, which rose to 82.22% on April 15, continues to decline. As of today, the filling rate of the dams supplying water to the city has been recorded at 17.83%.
The water amounts are calculated as follows: 16.45% in Ömerli, 28.27% in Darlık, 53.44% in Elmalı, 18.86% in Terkos, 12.46% in Alibey, 17.05% in Büyükçekmece, 15.62% in Sazlıdere, 29.45% in Istrancalar, 1.81% in Kazandere, and 2.71% in Pabuçdere.
CURRENT WATER AMOUNT IS 154.7 MILLION CUBIC METERS
While the dams and ponds supplying water to the city have a total storage capacity of 868 million 683 thousand cubic meters, the water amount has been recorded at 154.7 million cubic meters as of today. The amount of rainfall that fell into the dams this year was 573.4 kilograms per square meter.
In addition to the dams, a total of 530.63 million cubic meters of water has been received this year from Melen with 439.14 million cubic meters and from Yeşilçay with 91.49 million cubic meters.
Yesterday, 3 million 3 thousand cubic meters of water were consumed in Istanbul. Of the water supplied to the city, 2 million 363 thousand cubic meters were obtained from regulators, while 640 thousand cubic meters were sourced from the dams.
DECEMBER 17 DAM FILLING RATE WAS 30.09% IN 2024
According to İSKİ statistics, the dam filling rates on December 17 were recorded as 60.98% in 2015, 38.17% in 2016, 55.44% in 2017, 69.18% in 2018, 34.67% in 2019, 21.94% in 2020, 44.68% in 2021, 34.22% in 2022, 47.45% in 2023, 30.09% in 2024, and 17.83% in 2025.
"WE ARE FACING A SERIOUS TEST REGARDING WATER"
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Toros, a faculty member of the Climate Science and Meteorology Engineering Department at Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), stated that there has been drought in the Mediterranean Basin in recent years. Toros explained that the southern, western, and Marmara regions of Turkey have been affected by this drought, saying, "The average filling rate of the dams supplying water to Istanbul is at its lowest level compared to the same period in the last 10 years. We are facing a serious test regarding water."
Stating that Istanbul receives the most rainfall in December and January according to general climate values, Toros noted that the water consumption is almost equal to the rainfall received this month and that the filling rate of the dams has not increased.
"WE NEED TO CUT OUR WATER USAGE IN HALF"
Toros mentioned that there are two options that need to be considered at this point, saying, "If a large amount of rain comes in the coming days and the dams fill up, we may not have a water shortage, but if there is no heavy rainfall, then we need to reduce our water consumption. We need to cut our water usage in half; otherwise, we will face drought."
Pointing out that nearly half of the water supplied to the city comes from Melen and Yeşilçay, Toros stated that if there is no conservation and water consumption does not decrease, the water from these rivers will also be insufficient. Toros emphasized, "A water conservation mobilization should be initiated as soon as possible. At this point, awareness and sensitivity regarding water need to be increased. Similar conservation measures such as using water-saving faucets and installing pressure-regulated valves should be implemented."