Water supply and sanitation in Syria

Water and sanitation
Data
Water coverage (broad definition) Rural 80% (2006) urban 94% (2006) [1]
Sanitation coverage (broad definition) Rural 74% (2002) urban 98% (2002) [2]
Continuity of supply
Average urban water use (l/c/d)
Average monthly urban water and sewer bill
Share of household metering n/a
Share of collected wastewater treated n/a
Annual investment in WSS n/a
Share of self-financing by utilities n/a
Share of tax-financing high
Share of external financing low
Institutions
Decentralization to municipalities
National water and sanitation company 14 water establishments
Water and sanitation regulator Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR)
Responsibility for policy setting Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR)
Sector law Law No. 55
Number of urban service providers 14 water establishments in 13 governorates
Number of rural service providers 14 water establishments in 13 governorates

Syria is a semi-arid country with scarce water resources. The largest water-consuming sector in Syria is agriculture. Domestic water use is only about 9% of total water use.[3] A big challenge for Syria is its high population growth, with a rapidly increasing demand for urban and industrial water. In 2006, the population of Syria was 19.4 million with a growth rate of 2.7%.[4]

  1. ^ WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program:Coverage Estimates Improved Water Supply, Arab Republic of Syria, accessed on October 31, 2009]
  2. ^ WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program:Coverage Estimates Improved Sanitation, Arab Republic of Syria, accessed on October 31, 2009
  3. ^ M. Salman & W. Mulla. The Utilization of Water Resources for Agriculture in Syria: Analysis of Current Situation and Future Challenges [1]
  4. ^ World Bank (2001). Syrian Arab Republic Irrigation Sector Report. Rural Development, Water and Environment Group, Middle East and North Africa Region, Report No. 22602-SYR [2]