Water Crisis in Popular Resort Town Çeşme: Only Days of Water Left… Restrictions roll out as Reservoirs Dry Up

The situation in İzmir has reached a critical point. With expected rains never arriving and extreme heat intensifying, the water levels in the region’s reservoirs have plunged to alarming lows. The most dramatic impact is being felt in Çeşme—one of Turkey’s top tourist destinations—where the main water source, the Kutlu Aktaş Dam, is nearly dry.

Çeşme faces water rationing as dam dips below 5%

In the Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam, which supplies drinking water to Çeşme, the active storage level has dropped to just 4.41%. Officials say the town now has only a few days’ worth of usable water remaining. Last year at this time, the dam was nearly six times fuller, at 24.89%. Now, the water elevation has sunk to just 12.15%, adding pressure to already strained supplies.

Starting July 25, Çeşme will face nightly water cuts from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. as İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and Çeşme Municipality work together to manage the shortage. These are just the first steps—officials warn daytime cuts may follow if consumption doesn’t drop fast.

Severe drought across İzmir puts all reservoirs at risk

According to data from İzmir Water and Sewerage Administration (İZSU), water reserves across the city have hit critical levels. While the Güzelhisar Dam still leads with a 59.15% fill rate, that’s down 17% compared to the same time last year. Every other reservoir is struggling:

The Balçova Dam sits at just under 36%, Ürkmez at 14%, Tahtalı at less than 10%, and the Gördes Dam is functionally dry—only 0.08% full.

Across the entire region, current water reserves total just 96.78 million cubic meters, dangerously low for a metropolitan area during peak summer.

Restrictions rolled out to reduce consumption

In response, local governments are taking urgent action. On May 5, 2025, the Çeşme Municipality enacted new water-saving regulations as part of an expanded “Orders and Prohibitions Directive.” That initiative is now fully in effect.

The rules prohibit households and businesses from hosing down sidewalks, washing cars on private property (unless it’s a car wash business), and cleaning carpets, rugs, or mats in outdoor spaces such as balconies or gardens.

Officials say these restrictions are designed to stretch existing supplies as long as possible. The goal is to significantly cut water usage and stabilize the city’s dwindling reserves before things get even worse.

Authorities urge public to act

Both İzmir and Çeşme officials have issued public appeals, urging residents and visitors alike to take the situation seriously and practice strict water conservation. Everyone, they say, has a role to play in preventing a deeper crisis.