21.11.2025 16:51
The water level in the Naip Dam, which meets the drinking water needs of the Süleymanpaşa district of Tekirdağ, has fallen below 1%, which is referred to as the "dead volume." TESKİ General Manager Ali Şişmanlar stated that the city has 20 days' worth of water left, saying, "If there are no rains, we will have to implement planned water cuts in the city. This seems to be an inevitable path."
The Naip Dam, which supplies drinking water to Süleymanpaşa, the central district of Tekirdağ with a population of 210,000, has reached a critical point of drying up due to the dry and rainless summer months. With the water level dropping below 1%, tree roots have emerged, and islets have formed in the dam. The structures submerged underwater in the dried areas were captured by drone footage.
"WE HAVE 20 DAYS OF WATER LEFT" Ali Şişmanlar, General Manager of TESKİ, stated, "The water levels in Naip Dam and Yazır Pond, which supply water to our Süleymanpaşa district in Tekirdağ, are below the dead volume. According to the latest data we received from the DSİ, we have approximately 20 days of water left in the dead volume of Naip Dam. It has also been determined that we have fallen below the water intake structure in Yazır Pond. DSİ informed us that there is about 350,000 cubic meters of water left in Naip Dam, which has a water volume of 20 million cubic meters. Accordingly, we are keeping the water we take from here at the minimum level. To avoid problems in our neighborhoods fed by surface waters, we are trying to extend this 20-day period by supplementing from other underground water sources," he said.
"WE WILL HAVE TO IMPLEMENT WATER INTERRUPTIONS" Şişmanlar noted that planned interruptions would be made in the city from time to time if there were no rains, stating, "However, if there are no rains, if these conditions continue, and if we cannot obtain surface water, we will have to implement water interruptions, planned water interruptions in the city. This seems to be an inevitable path. To make this short-term, our project works to increase our other water sources and renew the transmission lines are being completed very quickly. We are trying to do our best 24/7 to provide water to our city by enlarging the capacities of these lines through tendering with the service procurement method," he said.
"THERE IS NO WATER IN TÜRKMENLI POND" Şişmanlar stated that the water in Türkmenli Pond has completely run out, saying, "Currently, we experienced water shortages in some neighborhoods in the Marmaraereğlisi region during the summer. There is no water in Türkmenli Pond. We have not been able to use Türkmenli Pond at all, but if it rains and snows this winter season and there is water accumulation, we are continuing our correspondence with DSİ and the relevant units. We have a request for the re-convening of the Provincial Water Drought Commission. Our work continues. Our requests and discussions are primarily aimed at providing drinking and utility water to the city and minimizing irrigated agriculture," he said.
Şişmanlar announced that they have started a project to transport water from Çokal Dam, stating, "One of our important projects is that Çokal Dam, located right next to us, is 53% full. According to the information we received from DSİ, there is a water volume of over 100 million cubic meters. We have initiated our project work regarding this. However, of course, this will be a project that takes a bit longer. Our forecast is to try to bring that water to Süleymanpaşa with an investment of 1.5-2 billion within 1-1.5 years so that we do not face these problems in the coming years," he said.