This document highlights the various threats facing Syria’s water resources, and the Syrian government’s work with the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) agency to develop a sustainable water resource management plan. As what many consider “the cradle of civilization,” many of Syria’s most ancient cities lie largely along the fertile west of the country along the banks of the Euphrates River. Syria’s early civilizations were amongst the first to develop elaborate irrigations systems and agricultural techniques as well as sophisticated water distribution and sanitation networks. Today much of that legacy is threatened by Syria’s rapid population growth and development. Currently the country is home to over 20 million people, and emergent private and tourist sectors are competing with the country’s tradition of agricultural production for water. Syria’s agricultural sector alone utilizes approximately 88.5% of the country’s water resources. Over the past 15 years, annual water usage has surpassed the total renewable water resources by about 14 percent, leading to a serious reduction in groundwater resources. Another growing problem is pollution from untreated domestic wastewater, affecting the quality of drinking water and contaminating irrigation water. In order to sustainably manage the country’s water resources, the Government of Syria has identified the water sector as a priority for modernization. This endeavor will be carried out through the Tenth Five-Year plan (2006-2010). Water, as a critical resource, is the focal point of German-Syrian development cooperation agreements initiated in 2003. With technical support provided by GTZ, both parties agreed that all developments will be initiated within Syrian institutions. This GTZ Modernization Programme for the Water Sector in Syria will focus on improving the country’s water supply and sanitation management as part of a comprehensive water resource management framework.
Risk Management