Homs Authorities Shut Down 60 Illegal Wells This Year
The Water Resources Directorate in Homs Governorate is continuing its regulatory efforts to curb unauthorized exploitation of water resources. Since the beginning of this year, the directorate has successfully shut down 60 illegal wells. This measure is part of a broader, ongoing initiative to preserve the province’s water reserves and reduce the excessive depletion of groundwater.
Mohammad Al-Hussein, the Director of Water Resources in Homs, emphasized that the directorate is working intensively to control violations related to the drilling and operation of unlicensed wells. He noted that legal actions against violators include the seizure of drilling rigs used in illegal operations, with all official reports referred to the relevant judicial authorities for appropriate legal action.
Data released by the directorate indicates that the total number of reports filed against illegal wells since the liberation period has exceeded 100. Providing further details on enforcement actions, Al-Hussein confirmed that the directorate’s depot currently holds more than 550 drilling rigs that have been confiscated due to their involvement in operations that violate current laws and regulations.
Al-Hussein underscored the importance of continued monitoring and field follow-ups, conducted through regular patrols by the directorate’s teams. He also highlighted the vital role of the local community, as the directorate encourages citizens to report suspected illegal activity. These efforts are carried out in full coordination with administrative units and police agencies in the province to ensure the immediate suppression of any unlicensed drilling activities.
Regarding authorized wells, Al-Hussein explained that they are subject to strict standards and specific conditions concerning pumping volumes. These wells are monitored using specialized meters to ensure that water consumption does not exceed established quotas. In his statement, the director urged the public to rationalize water consumption, particularly within the agricultural sector, which remains the largest consumer of water resources. He encouraged farmers to adopt modern irrigation techniques and to improve field irrigation efficiency.
These enforcement actions come amid significant water challenges facing Syria. The General Establishment for Water Resources has previously warned of a notable decline in rainfall rates over the last decade. This trend has increased pressure on groundwater and worsened the crisis of resource depletion, a challenge exacerbated by the widespread, indiscriminate drilling of wells across various Syrian provinces.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
