Water Crisis in Damascus

The Ein Al-Fijeh Spring, a vital water source for Damascus, has reached its lowest water level in history. This spring typically supplies about 70% of the city’s water, impacting approximately 5 million residents. Due to this current shortage, many residents are resorting to purchasing water from private tanker trucks.

In the mountains surrounding the Syrian capital, Hassan Bashi walked through a tunnel that usually flows with the famed pure water, now only a trickle remains. Normally, during the winter flooding season, these tunnels fill to the brim, even washing away much of the nearby Roman temple ruins. This year, however, has seen the driest winters in decades.

Bashi, who has worked at Ain Al-Fier Spring for 33 years, shared that he has never witnessed such a lack of water. He recalled old videos on his mobile, showcasing high waters in the ruins during past winters. As the primary water source for 5 million people, the spring’s drought is concerning, as it has been providing diminishing water supply for years. Consequently, reliance on private tanker trucks, filling their vehicles from wells, has become the norm.

Officials caution that the situation may deteriorate further in the summer and are advising residents to conserve water while doing chores. Ahmad Darwish, head of the Water Supply Department, remarked that this year’s rainfall has been the lowest since 1956, with spring water sourced primarily from melting snow and rain from the mountains near Lebanon showing significant decline.

According to Darwish, around 1.1 million households depend on this spring, and people must decrease their consumption to cope with water scarcity throughout the year. Further, the Barada River, which flows through Damascus, is also facing extreme low water levels this year.

In areas like Abbasid in Damascus, locals like Bassam Zibara are feeling the effects acutely. He reported that his neighborhood now receives water for only about 90 minutes a day, a stark contrast to previous years of constant access. Ongoing power cuts have exacerbated the situation, leading him to buy five barrels of water for $15 from private trucks—an expense that’s steep for many in a country where average incomes are around $100 a month.

“We are facing tough water situations,” Zibara predicts, stressing the community’s dependency on Ain Al-Fijeh Spring for their daily water needs. With the long-standing conflict in Syria, this area has seen bombardment and struggle, marked by changing control between government forces and rebels over the years.

In December 2017, the government regained control after a series of confrontations. Tarek Abdul-Wahed, who recently returned to his home near the spring, is now working on revamping his restaurant, which was demolished during the conflict. He reflects on the stark contrast between the past bustling environment and the current desolation.

“Ain Al-Fier Spring is the lifeblood of Damascus,” Abdul-Wahed said, as he works to restore a business that once supported numerous families. Yet, he laments the change: “It looks like a desert now. I hope the good old days return with visitors once more.”