Turkey's Water Pollution: A Crisis Unveiled

Water pollution in Turkey is a critical issue with severe implications for agriculture, public health, and regional stability. Turkey is considered a water-stressed country, facing acute water shortages in its major cities. The country has experienced a significant population increase, resulting in a decline in water availability per capita. Climate change, industrialization, and the construction of large dams and irrigation systems have further exacerbated the water scarcity issue, leading to conflicts with neighbouring countries. Turkey's agricultural sector, employing 43% of its economically active population, is forced to improve water efficiency, and the country is working towards complying with European Union (EU) water-related directives.

Population growth and climate change

Turkey is facing a water crisis due to a combination of population growth and climate change. Between the 1960s and 2000, the country's population grew from 28 million to 68 million, and this rapid growth has significantly impacted water resources. The availability of water per capita has already decreased, and with the population continuing to grow, the strain on water resources will only increase.

Climate change is exacerbating the problem, with rising temperatures and reduced rainfall contributing to water scarcity. The effects of climate change are already being felt in Turkey, with the country experiencing its hottest year on record in 2024 and more frequent and intense heatwaves and droughts. As a result, water demand in Turkey has approximately doubled in the second half of the last century, and this trend is expected to continue.

The agricultural sector, which employs 43% of Turkey's economically active population, is a major contributor to water stress. Water-intensive agriculture, encouraged by President Erdogan, is putting pressure on water resources, and the situation is only expected to worsen with the potential drying of rivers associated with rising temperatures. The country's Mediterranean climate is changing, and without urgent action, water scarcity will become more acute.

The impact of population growth and climate change on water resources is already evident in Turkey's major cities. In January 2023, Istanbul's reservoirs, which supply water to 17 million residents, were only 19% full, causing a panic among the city's residents. While rainfall and snowfall later in the year improved the situation temporarily, the city remains vulnerable to drought in the near future.

To address the water crisis, Turkey needs to take urgent action on both population growth and climate change. While local solutions are important, global action on climate change is also necessary. Turkey has signed the Paris Agreement but is yet to ratify it. Environmentalists and NGOs are calling for ratification and the implementation of policies to reduce carbon emissions, transition to low-carbon energy sources, and improve water efficiency. With the right measures in place, Turkey can manage the impacts of population growth and climate change and secure its water resources for the future.

Water stress and scarcity

Turkey is currently considered a water-stressed country, with some of the highest levels of water security threats in Europe. The country has faced severe droughts since the 1980s due to a combination of overpopulation, unplanned urbanisation, industrialisation, and the impacts of climate change and global warming. The water levels in the dams supplying Turkey's major cities have decreased due to a lack of rainfall, causing acute water shortages and panic among citizens. Istanbul, the country's most populous city, is at risk of running out of water, with its reservoirs at only 19% capacity in early January 2022, half-full compared to the previous year. Ankara, the capital, has also been experiencing severe drought, with warnings of a significant water shortage if the lack of rainfall persists.

The water stress in Turkey is projected to worsen due to various factors. Firstly, the country's population is rapidly increasing, resulting in a doubling of water demand in the past century. By 2050, water availability is expected to decline to 1000 cubic meters per capita due to population growth and climate change impacts. Secondly, climate change and global warming are causing the country's Mediterranean climate to shift towards a semi-arid climate, leading to prolonged droughts and further reducing water availability. Studies indicate that by 2100, Turkey could experience an expansion of arid areas, increasing water stress in the southern Mediterranean regions.

The impact of water scarcity is already being felt in various sectors. About 74% of Turkey's total water supply is used for agricultural irrigation, with the remaining 15% for drinking and domestic use, and 11% for industrial purposes. The World Wildlife Fund projects that the amount of water available per capita will decrease over the next decade, bringing Turkey closer to a "water-poor" designation. The situation has raised concerns among environmentalists, who are advocating for global action on climate change and calling on the Turkish government to ratify the Paris Climate Agreement and implement measures to reduce carbon emissions.

To address the water stress and scarcity issues, local solutions and global actions are both crucial. While local initiatives and adaptations are vital, addressing the underlying causes of climate change requires a global effort. Environmentalists in Turkey have specifically highlighted the importance of the Paris Climate Agreement, urging the government to ratify it and take the first step towards tackling the climate crisis. By setting targets and policies to reduce carbon emissions, Turkey can contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change on its water resources.

Water quality and management

Turkey is facing a water crisis, with water scarcity a critical issue affecting the country. The country is densely populated, with a large rural population, and most areas of the country face high or very high levels of water stress. This problem is likely to increase due to the rapidly rising population, industrialisation, and the potential drying of water sources associated with rising temperatures caused by climate change.

Turkey is one of the most water-rich countries in the Mediterranean, but due to an enormous population increase, the availability of water resources has decreased. Water demand in Turkey has approximately doubled in the second half of the last century, and about 74% of the total water supply is used for agricultural irrigation, with the remaining 15% and 11% used for drinking and domestic, and industrial purposes, respectively.

The construction of large dams and irrigation systems in Turkey has reduced the water flow downstream, leading to conflicts with neighbouring countries and even within Turkey. The country has also experienced acute water shortages in its major cities, with Istanbul's reservoirs, which supply water to 17 million residents, filled to only 19% capacity in early January 2022.

To address these issues, Turkey has implemented European Union (EU) directives to improve water quality. The most important directive in this sector is the Water Framework Directive, which is part of the EU Water Quality Sector. Turkey has also created water quality maps, assessed the state of environmental infrastructure, and proposed ways to reduce pollution. Turkey aims to reach good water status by 2027.

Additionally, Turkey has signed the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which is essential to addressing water scarcity in the country. Forty-seven environmental NGOs have called on the government to ratify the agreement through a petition campaign. Turkish environmentalists have emphasised the importance of reducing carbon emissions to combat the climate crisis and improve water security.

Agricultural and domestic use

Turkey is facing a water crisis, with water scarcity a critical issue affecting the country. This is due to a combination of factors, including climate change, drought, a growing population, and industrialization. Turkey's population has increased from 28 million in the 1960s to 68 million in 2000, and the water demand has doubled in the second half of the last century. The country's Mediterranean climate has been changing, and the rising temperatures are expected to lead to an expansion of arid areas, further exacerbating the water stress.

The water stress in Turkey is projected to increase in the coming years, with per capita water resources expected to decline from 1,500 m3 today to 1,000 m3 by 2050. This will have significant implications for agricultural and domestic use, as these sectors are heavily dependent on water resources. About 74% of Turkey's total water supply is used for agricultural irrigation, with the remaining 15% used for drinking and domestic purposes. The agricultural sector, which employs about 43% of the economically active population, will be forced to become more water-efficient to cope with the declining water resources.

Groundwater quality in Turkey has deteriorated due to excessive abstraction for domestic and agricultural purposes, resulting in aquifer salinization in coastal areas. To address this issue, Turkey has implemented regulations such as the Regulation on the Protection of Groundwater Against Pollution and Deterioration, which aims to maintain excellent groundwater conditions, avoid contamination, and improve groundwater quality. Turkey is also working towards complying with the European Union's Water Framework Directive, with a goal of achieving good water status by 2027.

The country has made significant progress in providing access to better water sources and sanitation to its population, with 100% coverage currently. However, the acute water shortage in major cities like Ankara and Istanbul has caused panic among residents. Local solutions and global action on climate change, such as the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement, are essential to addressing water scarcity in Turkey and improving water quality for agricultural and domestic use.

Industrial and urban demand

Turkey is facing a water crisis, with water scarcity a critical issue. This is due to a combination of factors, including climate change, population growth, and industrialization. The country has seen a huge increase in population, from 28 million in the 1960s to 68 million in 2000, and this has put immense pressure on water resources. The demand for water has doubled in the last 50 years and is set to continue rising.

The industrial sector is a large consumer of water in Turkey, using 11% of the total water supply. With an increasing population, the demand for goods and services rises, and this puts further pressure on water resources. Climate change is also a critical factor, with rising temperatures leading to increased water demand and reduced supply. The Mediterranean climate in Turkey has been changing, and the country is experiencing higher temperatures and more arid conditions. This is impacting water availability, with projections showing a decline in per capita water resources of up to 33% by 2050.

To address these challenges, Turkey is taking steps to improve water management and infrastructure. The country has signed the Paris Climate Agreement and is working towards complying with the European Union's Water Framework Directive. Local solutions and global action on climate change are both seen as vital to tackling water scarcity. Istanbul's Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, has emphasized the need for effective measures, warning that the city is still in danger of drought.

Turkey is also focusing on improving investments and operational efficiencies in the water sector. There is an understanding that investment costs are just one aspect of the challenge, and efforts are being made to limit the financial impact of compliance on consumers' water bills. Turkey aims to reach a "good water status" by 2027 and is implementing projects to update data and turn it into geographic information systems, ensuring collaboration between institutions and organizations.

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