Introduction

Syria entered the conflict period with an annual national water deficit estimated at 0.7–3.4 billion m³ and renewable per-capita water availability declining from more than 5,500 m³ in 1950 to around 808 m³ by 2012. Conflict-related infrastructure destruction, displacement and economic decline further weakened urban water and sanitation systems. Climate change is increasing temperatures, drought frequency and aridity, placing additional pressure on limited water resources.

Considerations and opportunities

The report identifies damaged infrastructure, unregulated groundwater extraction, declining transboundary water inflows and pollution from conflict, agriculture and industry as key sector challenges. Syria remains heavily dependent on Euphrates water flows from Türkiye under outdated bilateral agreements.

Recommended actions include integrated basin-level water management, regional cooperation, stronger monitoring systems and climate-informed planning. The report also supports a hybrid governance model combining decentralised service delivery with stronger national oversight to improve efficiency, water quality and equitable access.

Agriculture remains the largest water user. Suggested reforms include improving irrigation efficiency, promoting less water-intensive crops, expanding wastewater reuse and gradually diversifying the economy away from water-intensive agriculture. Infrastructure priorities include rehabilitation of existing systems, leak reduction, solar-powered pumping, desalination and wastewater treatment expansion.

Risks to Syria’s urban water and sanitation

Prior to the conflict, municipal demand was concentrated in Aleppo and Damascus. Urban sewerage coverage reached 89% in 2010, although wastewater treatment outside major cities remained limited. Since the conflict, two-thirds of water treatment plants, half of pumping stations and one-quarter of sewage treatment plants have been damaged. More than 80% of systems in the north-east are non-functional, largely due to electricity shortages and infrastructure damage.

Groundwater depletion is severe. Satellite monitoring estimated groundwater storage declines of 6.0–7.15 mm annually between 2002 and 2022, while 57% of irrigation wells were unlicensed in 2010. Future municipal demand is projected to rise significantly by 2045, potentially requiring 17–64% of pre-conflict renewable water supply depending on economic and water management conditions.

Climate projections indicate maximum temperatures could rise by 1.3–1.9°C by the 2030s and 1.8–2.4°C by the 2050s under moderate emissions scenarios. Heatwaves are increasing by 4.7–8.9 days per decade, while droughts, aridity and rainfall variability are expected to worsen, reducing river flows and groundwater recharge.

The report also highlights rising water quality risks from salinity intrusion, pollution, harmful algal blooms, dust storms and contamination from conflict-related chemicals and oil infrastructure damage. Infrastructure risks include pipe deterioration, flooding impacts and increasing evaporation losses from reservoirs.

Suggested strategic direction and priority investments

The report recommends prioritising demand management, agricultural water efficiency and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. Existing responses include repairs to pumping stations, tanker distribution and solar-powered water systems. Reducing water losses through leak repairs and real-time monitoring is identified as critical.

Additional proposals include separating stormwater and wastewater systems in coastal regions, renewable-powered desalination, expanded wastewater reuse, constructed wetlands and improved groundwater monitoring. The report also supports integrated governance, stronger local water associations, expanded climate risk assessments and renewed transboundary negotiations focused on basin-wide water management.