The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident through rising droughts, wildfires, floods, disasters, and losses in ecosystems and biodiversity. According to international indices used to define water scarcity or stress, Türkiye is currently under water stress. This situation is becoming more critical due to the impacts of climate change, rapid population growth, industrialization, and urbanization. It is projected that our water resources will decrease by nearly 20% by 2030.
The sustainable management and efficient use of our water resources have become more important than ever. We held the “Source-to-Tap Water Management Program” under the auspices of our Deputy Minister, Mr. Ebubekir GİZLİGİDER, covering topics such as providing safe and adequate water from the source to the end user. The program was attended by approximately 400 participants, including the Director-General of Water Management, Ms. Afire SEVER, mayors, deputy mayors, general managers of water and sewerage administrations, central institutions, and technical staff.
As part of the “Water Efficiency Campaign”, initiated on January 31, 2023, under the auspices of Mrs. Emine ERDOĞAN and coordinated by our Ministry, we continue our efforts to protect water resources.
Drinking and Utility Water Basins are Being Protected
To ensure the protection of water at its source, we are preparing protection plans tailored to each basin by evaluating measures within a scientific framework for drinking and utility water basins. To date, protection plans have been enacted for 34 drinking water basins, and studies are ongoing for other basins in collaboration with the Ministry and municipalities.
Drinking Water Safety Plans Will Be Expanded
Comprehensive drinking water safety plans, which cover the journey of water from source to tap and include measures to be taken in disaster situations, are being prepared. The plan for Gaziantep province has been completed, and our Ministry is continuing efforts to prepare similar plans for Kocaeli, Sakarya, and Düzce provinces.
Drinking Water Treatment Plants are Monitored to Ensure Drinking and Utility Water Safety
Our Ministry monitors the quality of water sources used by municipalities for drinking water supply and evaluates the performance of drinking water treatment plants to identify necessary revisions.
The ongoing work addresses:
- Analysis of pressures on drinking water sources,
- Revision of regulations and evaluation of new parameters to eliminate risk factors,
- Detailed technical evaluation and determination of revision needs for 70 drinking water treatment plants.
As part of the initiative, a certification framework for technical personnel working in drinking water treatment plants will be developed, and an online training platform will be prepared.
Expanding the Municipal Water Partnership Program
On December 4, in recognition of World Water Loss Day, representatives of municipalities and central government came together.
The themes of the programs held so far include:
- 2022: “Reducing Water Losses” — focusing on knowledge and experience sharing among municipalities to control water losses,
- 2023: “Water-Efficient Cities” — addressing water losses, alternative water sources, drought-tolerant landscaping, and sponge city concepts.
The theme for this year has been determined as “Source-to-Tap Water Management.”
Water losses in drinking water systems lead to the depletion of both natural and economic resources. While the average water loss rate across the country was around 60% in 2004, it has been reduced to 32% by 2023 through ongoing efforts. The program reviewed the importance of water losses and actions for their reduction.
To enhance information and experience sharing among municipalities, the Municipal Water Partnership program, which initially included 47 municipalities, welcomed 15 additional municipalities this year. Through this program, municipalities engage in mutual information exchange and collaboration.
