JICA’s Cooperation to Strengthen Water Supply System in Ankara

On July 10, in Ankara, Mr. Daisuke WATANABE, Chief Representative of the JICA Türkiye Office, participated in a ceremony marking the start of the renewal of the water pipeline “Çamlıdere-1” within the Ankara Water Supply Project (Loan Agreement dated December 28, 2009). JICA is financing 26.8 billion JPY of 36 billion JPY, the project's total cost.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Takahiko KATSUMATA, Japanese Ambassador to Türkiye, Mr. Mehmet Akif BALTA, Director General of the State Hydraulic Works (DSI), and Mr. Memduh Aslan AKÇAY, Director General of the Ankara Water and Sewerage Administration (ASKI).

During the ceremony, Mr. WATANABE stated, "Due to climate change and population growth, securing and supplying water resources in Turkish cities is a huge challenge. We are honored to cooperate and contribute to this important issue." DSI General Director Mr. BALTA and ASKI General Director Mr. AKÇAY emphasized that supplying healthy and safe water is crucial for the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. They also expressed their appreciation for Japan’s cooperation in realizing this project since 2009.
Under the project, construction of the intake from the Gerede River and a 30-km waterway tunnel was completed in August 2019, and construction of a sewage treatment plant to accept wastewater from Gerede City was completed in October 2020. As a result, along with the improvement of the water quality and environment of the Gerede River, which is the source of the water intake, the water equivalent to 30-40% of the drinking water supply for civil use in Ankara City has been realized.
The renewal of the water pipeline “Çamlıdere-1” is positioned as the final stage of the project. By renewing the outdated water pipeline between Çamlıdere Dam and Ivedik Water Treatment Plant, it is expected to deliver reliable water more safely to 5.86 million Ankara citizens.
In addition to Ankara, JICA has been involved in waterworks projects in Istanbul and southeastern Türkiye. JICA will continue to contribute to the development of water supply system in Türkiye in cooperation with the Government of Republic of Türkiye and municipalities.