Turkey's water crisis: Management, not just quantity, is key, says TBB engineer

Turkey is grappling with a severe water crisis, intensified by climate change, with significant water losses occurring even during periods of heavy rainfall. An article by Fulya Atay, a civil engineer at the Union of Municipalities of Turkey (TBB), highlights that major metropolitan municipalities in Turkey experience an average water loss of approximately 31%.

In 2026, regions like the Mediterranean and Black Sea saw the highest rainfall in 66 years, the Aegean in 42 years, Eastern Anatolia in 38 years, Central Anatolia in 15 years, and Marmara in 13 years. However, these record precipitation levels provided only temporary relief. The article notes that long-term drought effects persist in some areas, and climate change has altered the temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall. Consequently, intense downpours often lead to surface runoff and floods rather than replenishing water resources.

"The intense rainfall that occurred turned into surface runoff rather than feeding water resources, causing floods," the article states. "This situation highlights the importance of water management over the quantity of water itself." The analysis underscores that reducing water loss and leakage in drinking water networks is a top priority for water management.

Currently, municipalities draw 7.2 billion cubic meters of water annually for drinking and usage, but only 4.9 billion cubic meters are accounted for within permitted consumption. This leaves an annual deficit of 2.3 billion cubic meters lost within network systems. The article suggests that recovering a significant portion of this lost water could provide additional water resources at a much lower cost compared to new infrastructure investments, which are projected to cost 177 billion Turkish Lira by 2026 for the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) to address the needs of 34% of the population facing potential water shortages.

Furthermore, the article advocates for treating and reusing wastewater, viewing it not as waste but as a valuable resource. Globally, approximately 359 billion cubic meters of wastewater are generated annually, with only about 11% being reused. Turkey could significantly bolster its water supply for agricultural irrigation and park maintenance by implementing effective wastewater treatment and reuse strategies, thereby easing the strain on potable water resources.

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The intense rainfall that occurred turned into surface runoff rather than feeding water resources, causing floods. This situation highlights the importance of water management over the quantity of water itself.