15.03.2025 16:10
After the detection of 'petroleum hydrocarbons' in the municipal water supply in Karaman, the local population turned to bottled water consumption. In response to the demand, water distributors stated that they could not keep up with the orders.
The Provincial Health Directorate took samples from the city's tap water after complaints from citizens and examined them in the laboratory. As a result of the examination, 'petroleum hydrocarbons' were found in the water. Consequently, the use of this water for drinking and food hygiene was temporarily banned. For this reason, the city's residents turned to bottled water consumption. In response to this situation, water distributors stated that they could not keep up with the orders.
"WE DID NOT INCREASE PRICES"
Water distributor owner Ali Yazgan said, "Right now, people cannot drink or use the tap water that flows from the faucet. Because of this, we have seen a significant increase in our water sales. Even people who have never consumed bottled water and have only drunk tap water are now turning to bottled water. Together with all our colleagues in Karaman, we took this as an opportunity and said, 'Karaman's water is contaminated; they have to drink it,' and we did not increase our prices. We kept our prices stable, and there has been no change from our prices before the announcement. Currently, our team has become unable to keep up with water orders," he said.
DISCOVERY DECISION AND INVESTIGATION PERMISSION
On the other hand, following the statement from the Provincial Health Directorate, 7 lawyers registered with the Karaman Bar Association filed a criminal complaint against the municipality on the grounds of negligence. Additionally, upon the request of the lawyers, an inspection was conducted at the source of the tap line, Yeşildere Dam. After the inspection, the Karaman Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested permission from the Ministry of Interior to investigate the municipal officials. While the water intake from the dam was temporarily halted, a statement regarding the issue was made by the Karaman Municipality.
WATER INTAKE FROM THE DAM HALTED
In a statement from the municipality, it was said, "The Yeşildere Dam, which supplies a significant portion of the city's drinking water, has seen a significant decrease in water levels in recent years due to drought. With the arrival of spring, water has started to flow back into the dam reservoir from the stream that has been dry for a long time, and as a result, it is thought that the accumulation of waste from irrigation pumps used in the riverbed, along with tire and metal waste, may have affected the analysis results. A comprehensive research and investigation has been initiated in the basin to determine this situation. During this process, the water intake from the dam has been temporarily halted, and to meet the water needs of our citizens, water has started to be supplied from underground wells to the city network, with routine analyses being conducted in our laboratories," it was stated.