Page 158 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

C. WATER AND

WASTE WATER

MANAGEMENT

A significant part of the world population has problems in accessing clean water resources and
does not have enough healthy water. Water demand is increasing day by day and accessible
fresh water resources are decreasing day by day due to pollution. As a result of the pollution of
limited water resources and the increasing need for water, sustainability and controlled use of
natural resources have gained importance all over the world, especially in the last two decades,
and studies on alternative water resources have increased. Developing technology has had ac-
celerating positive effects in this process, and applications have become widespread with the
ability to safely recover wastewater.
C.1. Türkiye’s Water Resources and Potential

Türkiye is not a water rich country. According to the annual amount of water per capita, Türkiye
is a water scarce country. According to the water potential calculations of SHW, Türkiye has an
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annual water potential of 1,652 m per capita. According to the projections, Türkiye’s population
will reach 87.9 million in 2030 and the water potential is in danger of decreasing per capita per
year, since water use will increase accordingly. Therefore, Türkiye will be among the countries
experiencing water scarcity and will have to follow policies aiming to utilise its resources much
more effectively.

C.1.1. Surface Waters

Türkiye is divided into 25 basins in line with its hydrological characteristics. The average total
annual flow in the basins is 178.70 km for 2022. The Fırat and Dicle Basin, which has 28.4 per
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cent of Türkiye’s potential, is the largest basin in terms of its surface area and water potential,
and it transcends the borders of the country. The other transboundary basins are, from north to
south, the Çoruh River Basin, the Aras River Basin, the Asi River Basin and the Meriç River Basin in
the west. These basins have an important place in Türkiye’s international relations due to their
transboundary characteristics.

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