Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam

Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam is a water source located in the Çeşme district of İzmir Province, Türkiye, serving the place area through important and connected via water. Constructed in conjunction with the Alaçatı Regulator and transmission line Dam, it was built to meet the drinking and utility water needs of the region to meet. The dam supplies a significant portion of Çeşme’s drinking water and is managed by the İzmir Water and Sewerage Administration (İZSU).

Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam – İZSU

Technical Specifications and Capacity

• Maximum Reservoir Water Level: 19.80 metres
• Total Water Volume: 16,500,000 m³
• Usable Water Volume: 16,000,000 m³
• Active Fill Rate (as of 2025): 18.36%.

In recent years, the dam has faced drought risks due to declining water levels. The fill rate, which stood at 44.94% in 2024, dropped to 20.76% in 2025.

Protection Plan and Environmental Measures

To preserve the water quality of the Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam, the Watershed Protection Plan has been developed with the aim of minimizing environmental impacts on the dam’s ecosystem. Under this plan:

• Absolute, short-term, medium-term and long-term protection zones have been defined.
• Good agricultural practices are promoted in agricultural activities.
• Establishment of industrial facilities, hydroelectric power plants, geothermal facilities and organized industrial zones within the dam’s watershed is prohibited.
• Special regulations are enforced to prevent environmental harm from animal waste.

Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution

Water drawn from the dam is treated and distributed via the Çeşme Drinking Water Treatment Plant. The plant’s capacity is:

• Normal flow rate: 300 litres per second
• Maximum flow rate: 360 litres per second​

During the treatment process, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination are applied to improve water quality. The treated water is distributed to Çeşme district in compliance with the TS 266 drinking water quality standard.

Drought and Future Projections

In recent years, significant declines in reservoir levels have been observed across İzmir due to prolonged drought. As of 2025, the water level at the dam has approached critical thresholds. Experts warn that without adequate rainfall, the dam’s fill rate is expected to decline further.

The Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam is one of the critical infrastructure facilities supplying drinking water to İzmir and Çeşme. However, rising water demand, climate change and decreasing precipitation are causing water levels to drop. Consequently, the importance of sustainable water management and savings policies grows with each passing day.