HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – A water crisis that has gripped the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah for nearly six years continues to place immense pressure on residents, who remain heavily dependent on temporary alternative water sources that are often unsuitable for drinking or household use.
The crisis dates back to late 2019, when the Alouk Water Station, located near the city of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), ceased operating regularly following Turkey’s military incursion into the area. Since then, hundreds of thousands of residents in Hasakah and its surrounding countryside have faced repeated water shortages, forcing them to rely on water tankers and storage tanks managed by local and international organizations.
Unsafe water
In Hasakah’s Guweiran neighborhood, resident Issa al-Azzawi says households depend entirely on unstable alternative sources.
“Water is cut off here. It is currently being supplied only through existing wells and some humanitarian organizations,” al-Azzawi told North Press. “Water from tankers and wells is usually contaminated, but we are forced to use it because there is no other option.”
The financial burden has also become increasingly difficult to bear. Filling a single water tank costs approximately 35,000 Syrian pounds, an amount that covers only basic household needs. Residents often use well water for other daily purposes despite concerns about its safety.
According to al-Azzawi, the water has caused both health and material damage, including skin conditions and kidney-related illnesses. High levels of mineral deposits have also damaged household appliances, corroded metal fixtures, and deteriorated plumbing systems.
Amid growing frustration, Ahmad al-Hilali, deputy governor of Hasakah and spokesperson for the presidential team overseeing integration efforts and implementation of the January 29 agreement, told North Press in late May that Alouk Station was expected to resume operations in early July following maintenance and rehabilitation work.
However, conditions on the ground appear less certain.
Omar al-Salem, director of Alouk Station, said work is continuing “at full capacity and at a rapid pace” to restore operations. Yet no clear timetable has been announced for when water pumping will actually resume.
Maintenance is being carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy following implementation of the January 29 agreement, which restored Syrian government control over Sere Kaniye, where the station is located. The effort also involves the International Committee of the Red Cross and a local organization known as al-Mustaqbal (Future).
For residents, however, daily life remains defined by uncertainty and thirst, as alternative sources continue to fall short of meeting actual demand.
Expensive water
In the Kalaseh neighborhood, resident Abdulmohsen al-Nu’aimi describes the crisis in stark financial terms.
“Water has become a general problem for people, and solving it has become very difficult,” he said. ” I receive a salary of one million Syrian pounds (about $66), of which I allocate 400,000 pounds (about $24) to buy water.”
Al-Nu’aimi noted that a significant share of household income is now devoted solely to water expenses, leaving little for other essential needs amid deteriorating economic conditions.
“In addition, the water we buy is salty and lime-contaminated,” he said, adding that kidney-related illnesses have become increasingly common. Water filtration systems are available, but only for families that can afford them.
He also expressed frustration that repeated promises to restart Alouk Station have yet to materialize, despite frequent announcements of imminent reopening dates.
Daily struggle
In Hasakah’s Nashwa al-Sharqiya neighborhood, resident Yassin al-Sharmoukh says the water crisis has evolved from a temporary hardship into a daily struggle.
“We have been suffering from the water problem for a long time, dating back to the early years of the Syrian crisis,” he told North Press.
“We now spend around 100 US dollars per month to secure water. Water, which is one of the most basic necessities of life, is not available to us here.”
Most residents rely on tanker-delivered water, often without knowing its source or quality.
It is not suitable for drinking, al-Sharmoukh said, linking it to widespread kidney and urinary tract illnesses among residents. He added that he personally suffers from kidney stones, as do many of his neighbors.
He concluded by describing a scene that has become common across the city, women carrying barrels of water up hills in search of supplies.