Lake Van's Akhtamar Island supplied with drinking water
Akhtamar Island, also known as Akdamar, Aghtamar and Ahtamar, in modern-day Gevas district (historical Vostan, located on the south shore of Lake Van) in Van Povince, Turkey, is now supplied with drinking water, Van Governor Murat Zorluoglu said on Twitter.
According to Ermenihaber, Van authorities allocated a total of 5,000,000 liras for the implementation of the water supply project back in May this year after Turkey’s foreign ministry backed a draft project submitted by the Van mayor.
The construction of a 4,000-kilometer long pipeline underneath Lake Van to transport spring water from a nearby mountain to the island kicked off on 16 September as part of the project, with five public drinking fountains installed in Akhtamar.
Highlighting the role of the island in boosting Turkey’s tourism, Gevas Mayor Sinan Hakan said the project was crucial in terms of saving the island from drying up caused by global climate changes and keeping Akhtamar green for 12 months.
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