29.09.2025 15:01
The Mayor of Bursa, Bozbey, expressed his sadness over the ongoing drought and the beginning of the depletion of water resources, stating that the reservoir filling rates have dropped to a dangerous level. Bozbey mentioned that Bursa has only 6 days' worth of water left.
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey made statements regarding the measures taken related to the ongoing water shortages.
Bozbey stated that 85% of Bursa's water needs are met by the Doğancı and Nilüfer dams, while 15% comes from the Uludağ spring sources. "Currently, 50% is supplied from the Doğancı and Nilüfer dams, 15% from the Uludağ spring sources, and 35% from 155 deep water wells. Occasionally, these wells close. We immediately take action to open a new one nearby. The groundwater level has dropped to 250 meters. This actually shows how much drought the Bursa plain is experiencing. Currently, our water level in the Doğancı Dam is 6.81%, while in Nilüfer it is '0'. However, I can say that the Çınarcık Dam is at 50% capacity. That means there is about 75 million cubic meters of water. Unfortunately, I must state that the average filling rate is 3.34%. Bursa's daily water consumption is 525 thousand cubic meters. It is quite high. Right now, we are ranked 23rd or 24th among 30 metropolitan cities in terms of price. Our cost is very high today. The cost of approximately 1 cubic meter has risen to 85 lira," he said.
"WE HAVE 6 DAYS OF WATER LEFT" Stating that 75 million cubic meters of water is not enough for Bursa, Mayor Bozbey said, "We need 105 million cubic meters. To eliminate the water problem in Bursa, we need to construct the tunnel between the Çınarçık and Doğancı dams. It will become unlivable for a long time. I was happy today because it rained. If the bypass line had not been operational today, there would have been water cuts by the beginning of September. However, we have reached the end of September without experiencing water cuts. The savings of the people of Bursa have also been effective. However, if the rain is not effective, we have 6 days of water left. The water used by Bursa reduces the water in the dam by 25 centimeters. If the rain that fell today provides a 25-centimeter fill, it will remain stable. If it exceeds 25 centimeters, it will postpone the number of days until the water cuts. We must find a solution. If we are going to make water cuts, we will also announce that. If we had not built the bypass line, we would have implemented this water cut much earlier," he said.