İSKİ Announces Istanbul Dam Occupancy Rate: 71.03% on April 24
Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Istanbul's dam occupancy rate stands at 71.03% as of April 24, 2026, according to İSKİ.
- This figure is lower than the 81.73% recorded during the same period last year.
- Despite the current levels, water conservation remains critical due to Istanbul's high daily consumption, which can increase significantly in summer.
Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ) has released its latest figures on dam occupancy rates, revealing a notable decrease compared to the previous year. As of April 24, 2026, the overall occupancy rate for Istanbul's dams has fallen to 71.03%, a significant drop from the 81.73% recorded at the same time last year.
While the current occupancy rate might seem adequate, İSKİ emphasizes the critical importance of water conservation. Istanbul's daily water consumption averages over 3 million cubic meters, a figure that escalates to as much as 3.5 million cubic meters during the peak summer months. This sustained high demand, coupled with the declining occupancy rates, presents a clear challenge for ensuring a stable water supply throughout the year.
The data highlights varying levels of water in individual dams. Some, like Ömerli Dam (93.49%) and Elmalı Dam (92.54%), remain well-filled. However, others, such as Terkos Dam (57.86%) and Büyükçekmece Dam (57.02%), show considerably lower levels. Even more concerning are Istrancalar Dam at 36.25% and Sazlıdere Dam at 46.11%, indicating potential vulnerabilities in specific water sources.
This situation underscores the need for continued public awareness and adherence to water-saving practices. As Istanbul continues to grow and urbanize, managing its water resources efficiently becomes increasingly paramount. İSKİ's transparent reporting aims to inform the public and encourage collective responsibility in safeguarding this vital resource against future shortages.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.