Under the auspices of First Lady Ms. Emine ERDOĞAN and coordinated by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the ‘Water Efficiency Campaign’ was launched on January 31, 2023, and continues its efforts to increase urban water efficiency. With a holistic, efficient, and sustainable water management approach in our cities, the ‘Water Efficient Cities – Municipal Water Brotherhood’ event was held on December 14-15, 2023, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Union of Turkish Municipalities.
Su Verimliliği Seferberliği’nin öncelikli hedefi, içme suyu temin ve dağıtım aşamalarında oluşan su kaybını önlemek.
Seferberlik ışığında, fiziki ve idari su kayıplarının azaltılması ile kontrolsüz su tüketiminin önüne geçilmesi için çok yönlü uygulamalar hayata geçirildi.… pic.twitter.com/JA4AnzYZj3
— Emine Erdoğan (@EmineErdogan) December 4, 2023
The event, attended by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. İbrahim YUMAKLI, included presentations, experience sharing, and information on the control and management of water losses in drinking water supply and distribution systems, the role of alternative water sources in urban water supply, and the integration of sponge city practices into urban planning.
The event was attended by mayors of metropolitan, provincial, and district municipalities, general directors of water and sewage administrations, general directors of relevant institutions, and academics.
In his opening speech, Minister YUMAKLI emphasized that Turkey, located in the Mediterranean basin, will be significantly affected by climate change. He underscored that without necessary precautions, by 2030, nearly 50% of the population and 80% of irrigated agricultural lands could face water scarcity, stating, “We must integrate the approach of water efficiency for complete and self-sufficient brand cities into our understanding of municipalism. As climate changes, we will also enhance our adaptability. Without falling behind, lagging, or remaining a spectator, we will collectively build water-efficient cities through a shared vision.”
On the first day of the event, the second phase of the municipal water brotherhood application, initiated during the Water Losses Event held on December 5-6, 2022, to strengthen information and experience sharing and cooperation among our municipalities, was carried out, and 18 municipal water brotherhood protocols were signed.
Subsequently, updates were provided on the activities conducted by the municipalities declared as brothers under the first phase of the Municipal Water Brotherhood Application.
With the aim of reducing water losses in drinking water systems across our country to 10%, increasing the use of alternative water sources such as reclaimed water, gray water, and rainwater in meeting urban needs, and promoting a water-efficient urban management approach through sponge city practices, the event created a conducive environment for mutual exchanges of views, collective intelligence, and consensus on behalf of local administrations.
During this period, marked by frequent floods and similar disasters, municipalities were encouraged to “turn crises into opportunities,” emphasizing the creation of alternative water sources from floodwaters and enhancing the resilience of our cities against disasters.
The event addressed water-efficient sponge city applications for more livable cities, including green infrastructure areas, parks, rain gardens, green walls and roofs, cisterns, drainage pavements, permeable surfaces, and urban gardens.
Throughout the two-day sessions, the basic components of water efficiency in cities, priority areas, management of water losses, development of city-specific sponge city models, and the mobilization and encouragement of municipalities were discussed.
Additionally, participants received information on water efficiency technologies at the exhibition area set up during the event over the two days.
In the continuation of the event, municipalities that successfully implemented technologies related to online monitoring and measurement systems, isolated sub-regional studies, subscriber information systems and meter management, rehabilitation works, night flow monitoring, acoustic listening, and reduction of water losses made presentations.
On the second day of the event, experts presented on alternative water sources and new technologies (reclaimed water, rainwater harvesting, gray water, seawater treatment), sponge cities, green buildings, and xeriscape landscaping.
As the second day continued, updates were provided on the activities carried out by the municipalities declared as brothers under the first phase of the Municipal Water Brotherhood Application, and an evaluation of the first year of the Water Brotherhood Application was conducted.
A total of 34 water brotherhood protocols were signed, including the Phase 1 Municipal Water Brotherhood Protocols, strengthening the environment of solidarity among our municipalities and increasing the sharing of information, experience, and technology. Moreover, over the two days, participants were provided with information about successful applications and new technologies at the stands set up for water efficiency practices and technologies.