Page 183 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

tor”, which was opened for negotiation, studies have been carried out for the harmonisation and
implementation of our national legislation with the EU acquis. In this context, the Water Fra-
mework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC), which forms the basis of water quality management,
has been prioritised. With the “By-law on Surface Water Quality (YSKY)” published in the Offi-
cial Gazette dated 30/11 /2012 and numbered 28483, the procedures and principles regarding
the management of water resources with an ecosystem-based holistic approach in accordance
with the requirements of WFD have been laid down.

On the other hand, efforts were made to strengthen the legislative infrastructure necessary for
the protection and improvement of the quality of water resources. The “Communiqué on the
Determination of Environmental Targets for Surface Water Bodies” prepared for determining
the environmental targets to be achieved in surface waters was published in the Official Gazette
dated 21/07/2020 and numbered 31192 and entered into force.
1672 monitoring points determined in the 2024 surface water quality monitoring programme
were determined by the Regional Directorates for the needs of SHW (irrigation, drinking water).
Parameters that can be measured by SHW Laboratories were determined for the needs of SHW.
The results of the basin monitoring activities carried out by the General Directorate of SHW are
reported to the General Directorate of Water Management on an annual basis.
In the water quality assessment for lakes, ponds and reservoirs, their trophic status is revealed
by taking into consideration the limit values in the By-law on Surface Water Quality. The most
important factor threatening lakes, ponds and reservoirs is eutrophication. In order to control
the eutrophication problem, nitrogen and phosphorus loads reaching the receiving water bo-
dies should be classified.
For this purpose, as a result of the studies carried out by the MoAF, urban and nitrate sensi-
tive areas in 25 river basins that have been polluted or are under the threat of pollution due
to excessive accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds resulting from urban and
industrial wastewater and agricultural activities have been identified and the measures to be
taken to improve water quality have been set out and the “By-law on the Identification of Sen-
sitive Water Bodies and Areas Affecting These Bodies and Improvement of Water Quality” (R.G:
23.12.2016/29927), and the said areas covering 50 per cent of the surface area of Türkiye were
published. In addition, pressures in terms of nitrogen and phosphorus have been identified in
422 lakes, ponds and reservoirs, water quality and trophic status have been revealed through
monitoring studies, water budget and assimilation capacities have been determined and me-
asures to improve water quality have been put forward, and studies are ongoing in 330 lakes,
ponds and reservoirs.
Water quality action plans are prepared to improve the quality of water resources, which are
particularly under the threat of intense pollution, and the progress of action steps is continuous-
ly monitored. Some of the action plans currently being implemented are “Uluabat Lake Water
Quality Action Plan”, “Mogan-Eymir Lake Sub-Basin Water Quality Action Plan”, “Manyas Lake
Water Quality Action Plan”, “Ilgın Lake Sub-Basin Water Quality Action Plan”, “Burdur Lake Su-
b-Basin Action Plan”, “Lakes and Wetlands Action Plan”, “Işıklı Lake Water Quality Action Plan”
and “Gölköy Dam Lake Action Plan”.
With the “Establishment of Reference Monitoring Network in Türkiye Project (2016-2020)”, whi-
ch is one of the steps of the establishment of the Water Quality Ecological Assessment System
specific to Türkiye, a reference monitoring network was established by identifying natural and/
or near-natural reference areas that are not affected or minimally affected by human activities
in 25 basins of Türkiye to be used in determining the ecological status of water quality. With the
Project completed in December 2020, biological, hydromorphological and chemical monitoring
studies were carried out at 1065 points in 25 basins of Türkiye and reference areas and reference

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