Overview of Sustainable Water Management Policies in Cities in Terms of Preventing Climate Change Impacts: Center/BilecikTürkiye Case

Abstract

Water is a vital resource for the world and humanity and is an essential issue for sustainable development. According to sustainable development goals, access to water in the required quantity and quality is everyone's most fundamental right. While the water resources in the world cover two-thirds of the globe, the distribution of water resources on the globe varies; due to the climate crisis and pollution, clean water resources are decreasing day by day. The pressure on water resources is increasing day by day with the increase in competition in agriculture, industry and domestic use. The main goal of the study is to ensure sustainable water resources management in Bilecik city center. Within the scope of the study, it aims to determine how the resources will be used more efficiently to meet the rapidly increasing water demand, how the water resources in the city center will be affected by the population growth, how the need for alternative resources and management will be done, and strategies for water recovery and reuse. According to the research conducted, the average daily amount of water drawn per person was calculated as 228 liters. In three major cities, the average amount of water drawn per capita was determined to be 190 liters for Istanbul, 246 liters for Ankara, and 221 liters for Izmir. In this context, the strategies developed and implemented for cities were evaluated specifically for Bilecik (Center). All the city's drinking water is provided by the Karasu Stream. Drinking and utility water network service is provided to 99% of Bilecik's population. (Bilecik Municipality Performance Program, 2023). It was obtained from the interview with Bilecik Municipality officials that the instantaneous water flow rate according to the population in Bilecik (Center) in 2023 was 181 liters. According to the obtained data, Bilecik (Center) remains below the average amount of water drawn per capita. Considering that the population will increase regularly with the increase in industry in the coming years in Bilecik province, there may be a water supply problem in the city soon. Strategic development targets should be determined in order to increase the efficient use of water resources in urban areas and projects that will support them should be implemented. Another important issue in increasing the quality of water resources and reducing water losses is that the water and wastewater infrastructure should be well designed. Therefore, it is envisaged that General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (GDSH), governorships and local governments urgently develop a B plan to prevent a water crisis.