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Damascus Faces Worst Water Crisis in Decades as Key Spring Reaches Record Low

The Ein al-Fijeh spring, supplying 70% of the capital's water, is at its weakest flow ever following Syria's driest winter since 1956.

Aerial view of the nearly dry Ein el-Fijeh spring in the Barada Valley, Syria, Thursday, May 8, 2025. As the main water source for Damascus, its depletion has forced many residents in the capital and surrounding suburbs to rely on water from tanker trucks that draw from local wells.(AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Residents work on rebuilding their properties damaged during the war in Ein el-Fijeh, Barada Valley, Syria, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
A worker stands on a dry reservoir of the Ein el-Fijeh spring, in the Barada Valley, Syria, Thursday, May 8, 2025. The Ein el-Fijeh spring, the main water source for Damascus, has nearly dried up, forcing many residents in the capital and its suburbs to rely on water delivered by tanker trucks that fill from local wells. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)
Visitors fill bottles with water from the spring in Ein el-Fijeh, Barada Valley, Syria, Thursday, May 8, 2025. The Ein el-Fijeh spring, the main source of water for Damascus, is almost dry and many people in the capital and its suburbs are now relying on buying water from tanker trucks that fill from wells. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

Overview

  • The Ein al-Fijeh spring, a vital water source for 5 million residents of Damascus and its suburbs, is operating at its lowest recorded level.
  • This year saw the lowest rainfall in nearly seven decades, severely reducing the spring's output and leaving the Barada River mostly dry.
  • Daily water shortages have forced residents to rely on expensive private tanker trucks, adding financial strain to a population already facing economic hardship.
  • Aging infrastructure, power outages, and conflict-related damage have further hindered water delivery, exacerbating the crisis.
  • Government officials warn of worsening conditions during the summer and are urging citizens to conserve water in daily activities.