Water resources management in Syria
Second, high population growth and urbanisation increase the pressure on water resources, resulting in localized groundwater depletion and pollution, for example in the Ghouta near Damascus.
Finally, the institutions in charge of water resources management are weak, being both highly centralized and fragmented between sectors, and they often lack the power to enforce regulations.
The government implements a large program for the construction of wastewater treatment plants including the use of reclaimed water for irrigation.
[2] In March 2008 the three riparian countries formed a joint "water institute" based in Turkey that will "work toward the solution of water-related problems among the three".
However, in March 2008 Syria and Turkey reportedly agreed to jointly build a dam on the river, which suggests that some kind of agreement has been made.
The number of wells in Syria has been estimated to have increased from 135,089 in 1999 to over 213,335 in 2007, according to the National Agricultural Policy Centre (NAPC).
Rural electrification, diesel subsidies and subsidized loans for the drilling and equipment of wells contributed to the boom in groundwater irrigation.
[12] According to the Syrian National Environmental Action Plan of 2003, surface and groundwater are contaminated in many areas with domestic and industrial wastewater.
For example, in the Barada River concentrations of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and ammonia exceeded Syrian Standards for 86% of collected samples between 1995 and 2000.
The concentrations of nitrates in some wells in the Ghouta near Damascus exceeded the limits set by the drinking water standards.
On the Quweiq River flowing through Aleppo concentrations of BOD, ammonia and heavy metals exceeded allowable limits.
In the coastal region wells used for drinking purposes are contaminated with high concentrations of nitrates and ammonia because of sewage discharge and use of fertilizers.
Water salinity is also high in some wells because of seawater intrusion into the fresh groundwater aquifers.
A comprehensive regulatory framework for integrated water resources management does not exist in Syria.
[8] According to another source there is a Higher Water Committee, which is presided by the Deputy Prime Minister for service affairs.
"[12] Ministries with responsibilities related to water resources management include: From 2002 to 2004, the Ministry of Irrigation, with the support of Dutch development cooperation, prepared an integrated water resources management plan for the coastal basins.
The project included detailed water resources assessment studies, the analysis and selection of strategies and an action plan developed in consultation with various government stakeholders.
[13] From 2002 onwards, a Water Resources Information Center in the Ministry of Irrigation has been established with the assistance of JICA.
