Reservoir level dropping

[frontalman]

We visit the Gecitkoy reservoir regularly with our dogs and can see that the level has dropped considerably over the past month. Obviously this is the time of maximum use but does anyone know if the water is still being pumped from Turkey or is it stopped over the Summer when levels are low. I always had my doubts that this one reservoir would be able to cope with the increased demand and expectations for the whole of N Cyprus but would love to be proved wrong. Are there any engineers or techies out there who have information or views?

[caz11]

not sure if we are getting turkish water or not, some say yes and others say no.not getting water 24/7 in karsiyaka.

[pc4854]

My friend in Lapta told me yesterday that for the first time in the 12 years he has been here, he has has to put acid up in his pool rather than acid down. This is probably because he is now getting softer Turkish water. Has anyone else noticed a change in their water supply?

[frontalman]

I've had to put PH down in our pool this year, but not too much in proportion, which would suggest we are not getting Turkish water just west of Karsiyaka village.

[Panchocat]

Well I used to have to de-scale the kettle weekly now it is every six weeks or so. That suggests to me that we are getting much softer water here in lower Catalkoy.

[paul90]

Mark - you and I get the same mains water in Karsiyaka and it has consistently been (and still is) pH7.3.
Interestingly the bottled water in 19litre kegs is pH7.6.
The optimum pH for pool water is 7.4, since this is the same as the pH in human eyes and mucous membranes. A pH of 7.4 also gives good chlorine disinfection.
So wouldn't worry if your pH is 7.4 - 7.6
I am not sure about hardness but I think that ours is on the high side on the calcium scale (hard rather than soft).

[frontalman]

Thank you Paul, really good information.

Mike, I've just fallen into the fact that Acid is PH down. Have you got this back to front?

[jock1]

My friend in Lapta told me yesterday that for the first time in the 12 years he has been here, he has has to put acid up in his pool rather than acid down. This is probably because he is now getting softer Turkish water. Has anyone else noticed a change in their water supply?

So, filling up the pool with Main's water eh tut tut..........

[Art]

It is now legal in Esentepe.

[Groucho]

My friend in Lapta told me yesterday that for the first time in the 12 years he has been here, he has has to put acid up in his pool rather than acid down. This is probably because he is now getting softer Turkish water. Has anyone else noticed a change in their water supply?

So, filling up the pool with Main's water eh tut tut..........

We are now told we must use mains water...tankers banned for those on mains.

[jock1]

well, there you go then first i have ever heard of this.

[frontalman]

Any chance I can get an answer to my original post? This has turned into a swimming pool thread. Are they still pumping from Turkey or are they just letting the level fall until the winter?

[paul90]

Cannot answer your first question, although we have noticed that the level is down on early summer.

You also say: "I always had my doubts that this one reservoir would be able to cope with the increased demand and expectations for the whole of N Cyprus"
Apparently Erdogan has announced that Turkey have offered to divert some of the supply to Jordan and other neighbouring countries!!

[frontalman]

Thanks Paul, it's actually gone down quite a bit. The top holds the greatest volume proportionately as it spreads further so I would suggest that up to 25% has gone already.

[Groucho]

Any chance I can get an answer to my original post? This has turned into a swimming pool thread. Are they still pumping from Turkey or are they just letting the level fall until the winter?

So let's look at the issue logically...

The reservoir only needs to hold sufficient water to satisfy year-round demand.

For this it does not need to be totally full all year.

In the summer months demand will be much higher due to increased use for watering. human consumption, showers, pools and natural evaporation.

It would be daft to use more electric power to make the reservoir remain totally full all the time as the reservoir is in itself a mechanism designed to even out peak and troughs in demand.

So in essence I'm guessing the powers that be are not panicking and continue to pump water into the Gectikoy dam as before in the full knowledge that come winter time demand will slacken and the dam will fill up at the same rate as ever....

[Art]

Is the water from Turkey still flowing into the reservoir?

If it isn't perhaps Turkey are waiting for outstanding bills to be paid by the TRNC.

[dippersgirl]

Or it is sending ihe water already to Jordan???

[Hilltop]

How is the water meant to get to Jordan? I have heard nothing about a long pipe under the Med (To Israel), and a land pipe through Syria would seem to be problematic.

[frontalman]

Surely Turkey could just pump water into the sea and then Jordan could take out as much as it likes. Groucho, I had thought through the same process that you describe, I just wondered if anyone knew for sure. If they are pumping at full capacity, and the level is dropping so quickly with demand likely to increase in the future then maybe it will struggle to meet all future needs. Just a thought, don't want to be a killjoy. I was looking for reassurance if anything, and if they have turned off the pumps for the time being then that would give more hope.

[greengate]

This article may shed some light on what is/has gone on regrading water transfers.

http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/SIMHONM/

[Groucho]

Is the water from Turkey still flowing into the reservoir?

If it isn't perhaps Turkey are waiting for outstanding bills to be paid by the TRNC.

Pub rumours?

[Art]

Pub rumours?

I'm just asking the question and coming to my own conclusion-so no.

I'm still waiting for confirmation that the water is still being supplied into the reservoir...if it isn't this would partly explain why the level has dropped.

[Groucho]

Pub rumours?

I'm just asking the question and coming to my own conclusion-so no.

I'm still waiting for confirmation that the water is still being supplied into the reservoir...if it isn't this would partly explain why the level has dropped.

So it turns out you are simply starting a rumour.... it seems like a pointless remark Art.

The point at which the water is pumped into the reservoir is well below the surface since the early days of filling - as and when we can see the inlet -
that's the time to worry....

All the rest of it is pointless conjecture and I might add, how silly Cyprus rumours start and soon become Gospel.

[Art]

And how do you know the bills are being paid.?

Those who know we well would testify that I don't start rumours and never have done so take a chill pill my friend.

I just asked a legitimate question which appears to have rattled your cage..

[Groucho]

And how do you know the bills are being paid.?

Those who know we well would testify that I don't start rumours and never have done so take a chill pill my friend.

I just asked a legitimate question which appears to have rattled your cage..

Oh that old response....

how do you know the money is not being paid to the company now running the water supply?

My cage is well and truly un-rattled but you it would seem are prepared to make conjectures and try and pretend it's a legitimate question...

[HotHippo]

This article may shed some light on what is/has gone on regrading water transfers.

http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/SIMHONM/
greengate
Quick Fingers
Quick Fingers

Posts: 37
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2015 11:34 am
================================================================================
Thanks for the link, Greengate - very informative.

[Hector]

I think the original question from frontalman was a perfectly reasonable one to ask. I'd also like to know the answer.

[frontalman]

Thank you Joe! Love to Margaret (and yourself).

[Art]

Yes I would too and I would still like someone to confirm that the water is still being pumped into the reservoir.

[frontalman]

Where's a local when you need one?

[jofra]

.... the water is still being pumped into the reservoir.

Yes, it is.....

[Groucho]

Kuskor will be inspecting and cataloguing the wildlife at the reservoir on Saturday 2nd and will make a point of looking out for the trout... and to see if the water supply from Turkey is flowing..

If there are lots of trout or other fish such as carp then Ospreys will make a point of fishing here on their migration... which will be a spectacular sight.

[frontalman]

Well, Groucho and I got the answer to the dropping water level today. The inflow to the reservoir had been stopped for a while once the level reached almost full, although the Turkish water has been coming constantly and going straight through the water treatment centre into the mains system. The reservoir is merely a backup system. So there we have it. I was told that the reservoir is back on now though. I'm still a bit confused though, because the level has dropped too much to just be evaporation, or maybe not. Answers on a postcard please.

[Mowgli597]

Not based on how much the pool we used to have evaporated each week!

But since so few people seem to be getting the Turkish water (based on comments on here), where's it all going? Running down the road in a lot of places maybe?

[deputydawg]

I recall that approx 10 years ago there was a rapid drop in water levels at the dam and various explanations were often given over a protracted period. One was that the basin holds water by a dressing like clay on the bottom and sides and on that occasion this membrane type defense to leaks ruptured in several places. The water quickly disappeared through the web of rocks below. It was also explained that when leaks occurred the constant movement and settlement of land due to natural causes released various toxins dangerous to the carp stocks and wildlife. The authorities, at the time, just about condoned fishing at the dam for foreigners but were always concerned that the locals would poison themselves by eating any carp they caught. In 2004 I was in talks with the government (environment and tourism) with a few to forming a Fishing Club to pay a lease fee for fishing rights and give undertakings to jointly remove all the rubbish at the dam and police it for continued cleanliness. A local hotel were prepared to advertise course fishing holidays and daily transport to and from the fisheries as there were one or two other reservoirs which had good stocks of carp, some double figures in weight. Alas, when the water levels were lost as stated above, and the fish stocks were removed or perished (probably the latter), the government lost interest in the idea. In view of the increasing importance of water in TRNC and hopefully continual advice from Turkish mainland experts regarding maintenance of the supplies and reservoirs I would hope that this is not the cause of the current problems but it may be that one or two of you have the time and patience to try and gain the answer. If not "tight lines" I wish you sufficient supplies of water at affordable prices.