Turkey could be classified as water-poor within five years if urgent action is not taken, according to the Falkenmark Water Stress Index.

The index shows Turkey now ranks among countries experiencing water stress.

To become water-poor, a country must have less than 500–1,000 cubic metres of water per person per year. Turkey is approaching that critical threshold.

As reported by Hurriyet, coastal tourist hubs in Turkey such as Izmir’s Cesme are suffering daily water cuts amid prolonged drought lasting up to 12 hours. Reporting from Izmir, AFP on August 5 told the story of Ali Alyanak and neighbours who now have to draw water from a shrinking aquifer 170 metres (560 feet) underground, even as hotel pools remain full.

"Our parents used to draw water from a depth of eight to nine metres, but now we have to go down to 170 metres," said Alyanak, the 39-year-old village chief in Germiyan.

"Hotels are the main problem: The water in the pools evaporates, towels are washed daily and people take three to five showers a day, as soon as they go swimming or come back from outside," Alyanak complained. "It's a waste".

Last week, prayers for rain were heard from mosque loudspeakers across Turkey.

Experts who consider water use think far beyond what comes out of household taps. For instance, there is the “invisible” water embedded in daily products, including food, clothing and other consumer goods. This volume is a significant part of overall water use.

In Ankara, local media report that reservoir levels have fallen so low that officials warn the city may have only four to five months of water left without rainfall.

A UN-endorsed report, meanwhile, has concluded that 88% of Turkey’s land is at risk of desertification. Severe drought could thus undermine four-fifths of Turkish agricultural land.

Hurriyet also spoke to an academic, Mustafa Ozturk, who is a former undersecretary at the environment ministry. He warned that a leading cause of water loss in Turkey is now evaporation.

“With rising temperatures, water stored in shallow basins is rapidly lost to the atmosphere,” he said.

Ozturk recommended reshaping water storage infrastructure, deepening reservoirs and reducing surface areas exposed to evaporation.

Excessive use of water in private swimming pools should be banned, he also advised, saying: “Feeding pools with fresh water must be banned. Instead, filtered seawater should be used.”