Manbij municipality permits drilling wells to tackle water shortage
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – The People’s Municipality, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), allowed the residents of Manbij city, northern Syria, to drill wells and extract groundwater. They also set a pricing policy for selling water through tankers, amid a water crisis facing the city.
Since the beginning of July, Manbij city has been experiencing water shortages and frequent disruptions in water supply due to pump malfunctions that supply the city. This is attributed to the limited water flow caused Turkey’s control over the Euphrates River, withholding water from Syrian territories.
Khalid al-Ibrahim, the co-chair of the People’s Municipality in Manbij city, stated to North Press, “The purpose of granting well drilling licenses and setting water pricing is to alleviate the burden of water scarcity on the city’s residents.”
A 1000-liter (265 gallons) tank costs 20,000 SYP ($2) to fill which exacerbates the residents’ living conditions, Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim explained that the main factors contributing to the water shortage include Turkey’s reduction of Syria’s water share of the Euphrates River, frequent pump breakdowns, declining groundwater levels, rising temperatures, and the increasing population density.
He said that a joint monitoring committee was formed comprising Manbij municipalities, agriculture directorate, health directorate, fuel directorate, and the Manbij Water Institution. The committee is responsible for verifying licenses, safety, and suitability of the drinking water being sold to the residents.
In addition, he noted, another committee will be formed to monitor the prices of water sold through tankers. The joint monitoring committee has set the price of selling one 200-liter (53 gallons) barrel of water at 3,000 Syrian pounds.