Under the auspices of First Lady Ms. Emine Erdoğan and coordinated by the Ministryof Agriculture and Forestry, the “Water Efficiency Campaign” was launched on January 31, 2023, and efforts to increase urban water efficiency continue.
In line with the concept of holistic, efficient, and sustainable water management in our cities, the “Water-Efficient Cities – Inter-municipal Water Partnership” event was held on December 14-15, 2023, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Union of Municipalities of Turkey.
The event, attended by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, focused on presentations, experience sharing, and successful case studies related to controlling and managing 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 sewerage authorities, officials from related institutions, and academics.
In his opening speech, Minister Mr. Yumaklı emphasized that Türkiye, located in the Mediterranean basin, would be significantly affected by climate change. He highlighted that without necessary measures, nearly 50% of the population and 80% of irrigated agricultural lands could face water scarcity by 2030. He stated, “We must integrate water efficiency into our municipal governance approach for water-secure, self-sufficient model cities. As the climate changes, we will increase our adaptability. Without delay, without being left behind, and without standing idle, we will build water-efficient cities together with a common vision.”
On the first day of the event, the second phase of the Inter-municipal Water Partnership program was carried out, following the first phase launched in the “Water Losses Event” held on December 5-6, 2022. During this phase, 18 municipalities signed municipal water brotherhood protocols.
Further, the event featured updates on the ongoing work carried out by the municipalities that were paired during the first phase of the Inter-municipal Water Partnership program.
The event aimed to bring together all municipalities under a common vision to reduce water losses in drinking water systems nationwide to 10%, increase the use of alternative water sources such as used water, greywater, and rainwater in meeting urban needs, and spread the concept of water-efficient urban management through sponge city practices.
The event also created a platform for local governments to exchange views, share knowledge, and build consensus on the issue.
In this period of frequent floods, landslides, and other disasters, municipalities were encouraged to “turn crises into opportunities” by managing floodwaters and creating alternative water sources for dry periods. Emphasis was placed on making cities more resilient to disasters.
The event also focused on sponge city applications for more livable cities, which include green infrastructure areas, parks, rain gardens, green walls and roofs, cisterns, drainage pavements, permeable surfaces, and urban gardens.
Over the two days, sessions discussed key components of urban water efficiency, priority areas, managing water losses, developing city-specific sponge city models, and ways to motivate and incentivize municipalities.
Additionally, throughout the event, informational booths were set up to educate participants about water efficiency technologies.
On the second day, municipalities presented successful applications regarding online monitoring and measurement systems, sub-region isolation studies, subscriber information systems, meter management, rehabilitation works, night flow monitoring, acoustic listening, and technologies for reducing water losses.
Academic experts also gave presentations on alternative water sources and new technologies such as used waters, rainwater harvesting, greywater, desalination, sponge cities, green buildings, and drought-resistant landscaping.
Later on the second day, there were further updates on the work done by municipalities paired under the first phase of the Municipal Water Brotherhood program, along with an evaluation of the first year of the program.
A total of 34 water brotherhood protocols were signed, strengthening solidarity among municipalities and increasing the sharing of information, experience, and technology.
Over the two days, participants also received information about successful applications and new technologies related to water efficiency practices and technologies from the event’s informational booths.