Attachments
Context & Rationale
Following thirteen years of conflict, water scarcity is prevalent in northeastern Syria (NES) due to climate change, heavy water abstraction from its aquifers, limited water management and damaged infrastructures. With an economy heavily reliant on agriculture, this has also had negative effects on livelihoods in NES. In order to effectively address water needs, it is essential for water management actors to have an evidencebased understanding of accessibility and demand, water prices, usage patterns, and the ability and willingness of water users to pay for services.
This Socio-Economic Water Survey is a pilot intended to address a lack of sufficiently detailed data on water needs and usage for both domestic and agricultural purposes to adequately inform decision-making by water management actors in NES.
Key Messages
• Despite high dependence on boreholes, most assessed farmers reported facing barriers to water access, particularly due to fuel and electricity costs, damaged infrastructure, and declining groundwater levels.
• Most farmers reported long-term declines in groundwater availability, with 82% observing reduced quantity and 28% noting worsening quality in the past 20 years. Among them, nearly onethird had abandoned certain crop types as a result.
• Preferred solutions to water access issues among assessed farmers included affordable fuel and electricity for pumps, renewable energy adoption, and improved water infrastructure. However, nearly all reported financial barriers to implementation. While these solutions could enhance irrigation and livestock water access, they may also increase groundwater extraction, highlighting the need to pair energy access with sustainable water management.
• A vast majority of households reported insufficient access to drinking water - 98% in the wet season and 93% in the dry - underscoring chronic challenges even during periods of lower demand.
• Based on the Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE), over half of households experienced water insecurity in the wet season (55%), up from 42% in the dry season. Many reported disrupted routines and emotional stress, highlighting persistent strain on household water systems year-round. This suggests that household water insecurity in Tel Tamer is shaped more by systemic and infrastructural challenges than by seasonal water availability.