Pipeline delivers nearly ¼ billion cubic metres of fresh water from Türkiye to TRNC
THE pioneering undersea pipeline that supplies fresh water from Türkiye to North Cyprus has successfully delivered approximately 220 million cubic metres of water to the TRNC since June 27, 2016.
The figure was released by the Turkish Embassy’s Development and Economic Cooperation (KEİ) Office in a statement highlighting the ongoing investments from Ankara in the areas of drinking and utility water, as well as agricultural irrigation water in the TRNC.
These initiatives are being overseen by Türkiye’s State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and coordinated by the KEİ Office under the economic and financial cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.
As part of the “Güzelyurt and Mesaoria Plain Irrigation Transmission Structures Project” initiated in 2018, a 5,700-metre long agricultural irrigation tunnel was completed and inaugurated on May 22, 2021.
The first phase of work between Geçitköy and Kalkanlı has been concluded, enabling water supply to the Güzelyurt plain and initiating irrigation across a 1,873-hectare area.
The statement, released on Tuesday, further detailed ongoing projects, including the “Central Mesaoria Plain Irrigation Transmission Line Project”, the 207kilometre “Storage Connection Line Project Construction”, and the preparation of the “TRNC Water and Soil Resources Master Plan Report”.
This comprehensive report encompasses underground and surface water resources, water quality, total land assets, land suitable for agriculture, and soil analysis.
Additionally, under the 2023 Economic and Financial Cooperation Agreement, two significant projects were executed: the “Islandwide Stream Rehabilitation (Reclamation), Reservoir Cleaning, and Renewal of Irrigation Systems Project” and the “Drinking Water and Pipelines, Maintenance, Repair, Renewal, and Material Procurement Project”.
A noteworthy allocation of 42 million TL was made for projects within the Agriculture and Natural Resources Ministry’s Water Works Department.
This funding facilitated the purchase of irrigation materials and equipment, supporting the transportation of purified water to State Production Farms and Lefkoşa wastewater treatment facilities for seed production of barley varieties such as “Reşatbey” and “Beşparmak”.
The aim is to contribute significantly to local seed material production, reducing dependence on imports.
Furthermore, the statement outlines the use of mobile irrigation machines on 730 dönüms of State Production Farms’ land, with the remaining 500 dönüms irrigated using fixed sprinklers. This project not only addresses the water needs of the Güzelyurt Plain but also aids in safeguarding and developing aquifers by reducing water extraction from the Güzelyurt aquifer through wells.
The initiative extends beyond agriculture, contributing to the nationwide cleaning of reservoirs and streams. Notable rehabilitation efforts include the Yarköy stream, Karşıyaka Reservoir and Yeşiltepe Reservoirs in 2023.
Funding was also allocated for the water supply of the recently completed new Central Prison, which is now in operation, along with the surrounding residential area.