Syria's water crisis deepens as drought and infrastructure issues worsen. Millions now rely on expensive tankers for daily needs.

Damascus

Syria is confronting its most severe water crisis in decades, with drought and failing infrastructure forcing millions to depend on water tankers for daily needs. In both impoverished and affluent neighborhoods of Damascus, residents are rationing water, often paying high prices for tanker deliveries as official supplies dwindle.

Authorities report that only a fraction of the usual rainfall has been received, leaving rivers and reservoirs depleted and prompting widespread rationing. With 500 water stations shut down and the main spring nearly dry, officials estimate that $50 million is needed for immediate infrastructure repairs, while long-term solutions such as tapping coastal springs and desalination could cost over $5 billion.

Syria faces worst water crisis since 1950s as reservoirs run dry

These tractors are being used as water tankers. A combination of drought and broken water infrastructure means more people in Syria rely on them for daily needs. Water for a tank like this costs about $6, and people ration that until the next refill. In Damascus' impoverished Samaria neighborhood, every drop is precious, so even wastewater is stored for the toilets. Sometimes we fill a gallon of drinking water from a different neighborhood until we can afford a tanker. We have five people in the house, and our tank only takes a limited amount. Us grown-ups can manage, but the children do not understand the situation. Even in the neighborhoods where homes cost millions of dollars, there is no water, and the same tractor tankers are in use. Those who can pay for the entire $50-$60 tanker for themselves and their gardens. I have two young children, and we're very much affected by water shortages. It can take several hours to even days for tankers to be available. So many people are going through the same struggle. Almost everyone relies on water tankers and not an official supply. That official supply for approximately 7 million people has seen just 24% of annual rainfall this year, and the Barada River is barely flowing. 500 water stations are shut in Damascus province. Nearly two-thirds of water comes from the Ain al-Fiji spring, and this is being pumped from the underground water reservoir. That's because the opening of the spring is visible instead of being submerged. This trickle of water is coming into a huge pool. The yellow marks on the wall above us show you the level where the water was at, and now you have to dig 70 metres below ground level to get that water. The Roman temple behind us is testament that this place has withstood the test of time, but now it's born dry. That means rationing of water in Damascus, and people getting supplied only a couple of days a week. Officials say things have not been this bad since the 1950s. We face a number of challenges. This year we have historically low rain and snowfall which feed the main springs. The preliminary estimates for infrastructure needs are $50 million. There's also a long-term plan to draw water from more sources like springs in the coastal region and even desalination, but these costs could be over $5 billion to supply southern and central provinces. Years of war, neglected infrastructure and climate change have turned flowing riverbanks into wasteland. And while the needs are urgent, it will require resources and infrastructure to quench a parched Syria. Swami Majaved Al-Dazeera, El Fiji, Damascus Countryside.

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