Performance of Water Systems During the February 6th Kahramanmaras Earthquakes

Abstract

February 6th, 2023 Mw7.7 and Mw7.6 Kahramanmaras earthquakes caused severe damage to lifeline systems across 13 provinces in Turkiye and regions of Northern Syria. Impacts to water and wastewater infrastructure were significant, requiring the mobilization of support from across the region, and around the world to provide life-sustaining service to the approximately 14 million impacted people. This study documents water infrastructure performance during the event and efforts required to repair damage during the days and months that followed. With a particular focus on water transmission and distribution pipelines, details acquired during multiple field reconnaissance visits and meetings with officials are provided for the most heavily impacted water utilities. Both general recovery efforts and specific examples of earthquake-induced pipeline damage are incorporated to draw conclusions relative to emergency preparedness, resilient network design, and communication across agencies as well as with the public.