Aleppo faces major water losses, misuse amid worst drought in 50 years
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – The General Manager of the General Establishment for Drinking Water in Aleppo, Jamal Diban, said on Monday that the main challenges facing the sector stem from the absence of effective water rationing in the city and significant losses in the distribution network.
Diban told North Press that maintenance and repair work is currently underway to address the network’s losses and improve water delivery.
He noted that a considerable portion of Aleppo’s water supply is being wasted due to misuse by residents, who often use drinking water for “washing cars and streets.”
According to Diban, the establishment pumps between 500,000 and 550,000 cubic meters of water to Aleppo every day.
The official added that “last year, Syria witnessed the lowest rainfall in fifty years,” which has worsened the country’s water crisis.
Diban highlighted that “around 55 projects in the southern countryside are either completed or under implementation,” stressing that the establishment is “making steady progress in ensuring access to safe drinking water for residents.”
The water crisis in Aleppo reflects a broader problem across northwern Syria, where prolonged drought, declining rainfall, and deteriorating infrastructure have severely strained water resources. Just two days ago, a North Press report highlighted the sharp decline in water levels at the Maydanki Dam in Afrin, one of the region’s main reservoirs, which has jeopardized irrigation and drinking water supplies.
Experts warn that the combination of climate change, poor water management, and population pressure is pushing local communities toward an unprecedented shortage, threatening both livelihoods and public health.
Reporting by Saleh Salim