Northern Cyprus Water Supply Project
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Water Supply Project (Turkish: KKTC Su Temin Projesi) is an international water diversion project designed to supply water for drinking and irrigation from southern Turkey to Northern Cyprus (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) via pipeline under Mediterranean Sea. As such, the project is unique in the world.[1][2]
Project
Cyprus is short of surface water and groundwater due to inadequate rainfall. The project aims to supply Northern Cyprus with water from Turkey for a timespan of 50 years. Of the 75 million m³ water, 37.76 million m³ (50.3%) will be used for drinking purposes and the remaining part (49.7%) will be allocated for irrigation. Following the realization of the project, irrigated farming at an area of 4,824 ha (11,920 acres) in Mesaoria Plains, one of largest plains of the island, will help improve the standard of living in the region.[1][2]
The total investment cost of the project is budgeted at 
782 million (approx. US$432 million) consisting of 45.6 million (approx. US$25.2 million) for structures in Turkey, 630 million (approx. US$348 million) for the undersea pipeline and 26.9 million (approx. US$14.9 million) for the structures in Northern Cyprus.[2]
- Stage 1
Alaköprü Dam is in Anamur, Mersin Province on the Anamur-Dragon Creek at 88 m (289 ft) elevation. Groundbreaking was done on March 7, 2011. It has a reservoir holding 130.5 million m3 (4.61 billion cu ft). The dam was completed on March 7, 2014.[1][2]
- Stage 2
A pipeline of 1,500 mm (59 in) diameter and 22 km (14 mi) length will carry 75 million m³ (2.6 billion cu ft) water of Alaköprü Dam to Anamurium Pumping Station, which connects to under sea pipeline in 1 km (0.62 mi) distance.[1]
- Stage 3
A 80 km (50 mi) long under sea pipeline of 1,600 mm (63 in) in 250 m (820 ft) depth in Mediterranean Sea will transfer water from Anamurium Plant in Turkey to Güzelyalı Pumping Station in Northern Cyprus. The pipeline will have sensors and transmitters mounted to signal any possible faults for repair.[1][2]
- Stage 4
A pipeline of 3 km (1.9 mi) will elevate water from Güzelyalı Station to the reservoir of Geçitköy Dam close to the city of Girne.[1]
The project will be carried out by the Turkish State Hydraulic Works (DSİ). It consists of the construction of a dam and a pumping station at each on both sides as well as a pipeline of 107 km (66 mi) running mainly under sea. The construction will have four stages.[1]
Realization
The Northern Cyprus Water Supply Project for transporting water to Cyprus was to be completed in September 2014.[3] The realization of the project took place on October 8, 2015 with the arrival of first waters in Northern Cyprus pumped from Turkey. The
high-density polyethylene underwater pipeline with 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) diameter is 80.151 km (49.804 mi) long and is suspended at a depth of 250 m (820 ft). The project, including the water purification and water distribution facilities, cost 1.255 billion (approx. US$ 450 million). The pipeline will transfer annually 75 million m³ water from the Alaköprü Dam on the Anamur-Dragon Creek in Turkey to the Geçitköy Dam in Northern Cyprus.[4]
- Alaköprü Dam: 36°10′53″N 32°53′44″E / 36.18139°N 32.89556°E
- Geçitköy Dam: 35°19′40″N 33°04′24″E / 35.32778°N 33.07333°E
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "KKTC'ye Su Temin Projesi" (in Turkish). DSİ. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "'Asrın Projesi'nde kazma vuruluyor!". Vatan. 2012-10-11.
- ↑ ‘Century’s Project’ for transporting water to Cyprus to be completed in Sept
- ↑ "Türkiye KKTC arası boru hattında ilk su adaya ulaştı". Hürriyet (in Turkish). 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2015-10-09.