From which sources are our drinking and potable water drawn?
In general, drinking and potable water is supplied mostly from wells in the west of Turkey and mostly from springs and springs in the east. After the 2000s, urbanization has increased the withdrawal of drinking and potable water from dams
General Status of Our Drinking and Potable Water
In the Comparative Assessment of Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Administrations -March 2019- study conducted by SUEN, the proportion of surface and groundwater resources withdrawn for drinking water services was also investigated. 21 When the data shared by the General Directorate of Water and Sewerage Administration (SUKI) are analyzed, it is seen that the average rates of surface and groundwater resources used as drinking and potable water are 59.5% and 40.5%, respectively. (SUEN 2019).
In the last 27 years, our population has increased by 45% and drinking and potable water withdrawal by 100%. In 4 of our 30 metropolitan cities, drinking and potable water is completely supplied from groundwater. In Antalya and Konya, 75% of drinking and potable water and in İzmir, 60% is drawn from wells.
In general, drinking and potable water is supplied mostly from wells in the west of Turkey and mostly from springs and springs in the east. After the 2000s, urbanization has increased the withdrawal of drinking and potable water from dams (Sarış F 2021).
According to the results of the analysis on drinking water services; the average loss rate in water distribution networks in 21 metropolitan cities is 40%. In accordance with the Regulation on the Control of Water Losses in Drinking Water Supply and Distribution Systems, this rate should be rapidly reduced to below 25%. As a matter of fact, according to the calculations made within the scope of the study, the annual economic loss in our metropolitan cities as a result of water losses and leakages exceeds 7.5 billion TL (SUEN 2019).
From which sources is our drinking and potable water drawn?
Our drinking and potable water is supplied from various water sources such as surface water, groundwater (wells) and spring water (springs). However, these sources have long been under pressure from urban migration, rapid population growth, pollution and climate change. In addition, the annual amount of water withdrawn for domestic water use has been increasing in Turkey. It is observed that this increase accelerated after 2008. Correspondingly, the amount of domestic water per capita has been on a downward trend since the 2000s. When evaluated for Turkey in general, it can be stated that this situation is primarily related to the rapid increase in the urban population since 2000s.
Until 2008, drinking and utility water flowing from our fountains was mostly supplied by withdrawal from groundwater throughout the country. In parallel with the increase in total annual water withdrawal, it has been observed that water withdrawal from surface water resources has exceeded groundwater rates after 2008. (Sarış F.2021) Water withdrawal from surface water is mostly made from dams. Withdrawal from rivers has increased in recent years.
When evaluated in terms of the sources from which drinking and utility water is withdrawn, it is noteworthy that wells (groundwater) are used more intensively in Central Anatolia and Western Mediterranean (Lakes region), spring-source waters are used more intensively in Eastern Anatolia; surface waters withdrawn from dams are used more intensively in Marmara, Central Anatolia, Eastern Mediterranean and GAP regions; surface waters directly withdrawn from rivers are used more intensively in a few provinces in the Black Sea region and in Siirt and Istanbul provinces.(Sarış F.2021).
Water withdrawal from lake/pond sources is highest in Sakarya, Isparta and Istanbul.
Status of our Water Quality
Regarding the quality of water resources, the following summary results were obtained from the studies carried out by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
The quality of water resources in our country is deteriorating rapidly and widely. This situation is among the priority issues where water management needs to take urgent measures.
The main reasons for the deterioration of the quality of Turkey's water resources can be listed as overuse of natural resources, untreated domestic and industrial wastewater reaching water resources as a result of unplanned and rapid industrialization and unplanned urbanization, inadequate capacity and process of existing wastewater treatment plants, inefficient transmission and agricultural activities.
In the studies to determine the biological, chemical and hydromorphological quality status and the final water quality status, it was determined that 4 of the 226 monitoring points monitored for 1 year in 8 basins were very good, 37 were good, 145 were medium, 145 were medium, 29 were poor, and 11 points had poor water status. (Environmental Problems Report 2018) The basic approach in the protection of water resources should be to prevent pollution at the source. Because the measures to be taken after the resources are polluted are more difficult and expensive.
References
Yıldız D. (2021) "From Which Sources Do Our Water for Domestic Use Come From?" Su Politikaları Derneği. Report No: 43. Ankara November 10, 2021
Sarış, F. (2021). Evaluation of Domestic Water Supply and Consumption Statistics in Turkey, Turkish Journal of Geographical Sciences, 19(1), 195-216, doi: 10.33688/aucbd.883794
SUEN (2019) COMPARATIVE EVALUATION STUDY among Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Administrations MARCH 2019 SUEN Report
Turkey Environmental Problems and Priorities Assessment Report (2016 data) Edited by: Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, General Directorate of Environmental Impact Assessment, Permit and Inspection, Department of Environmental Inventory and Information Management, Data Evaluation Branch Directorate 2018 ANKARA
