Water is a vital resource for human life as well as for the balance of ecosystems, biodiversity and the prevention of natural disasters. However, growing population and industrialization are rapidly increasing the demand for water. Climate change is causing water resources to diminish and their quality to deteriorate.

TÜBİTAK's Studies on Water Resources

TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center carries out important projects on the protection and management of water resources.

Important steps are being taken with academic and industrial collaborations on issues such as integrated basin management, surface water and alternative water resources management, and the association and modeling of soil pollution and water resources. In addition, studies are being carried out in critical areas such as classical and advanced treatment technologies for the treatment and recovery of wastewater, on-site treatment practices, water recovery and reuse. With these studies, sensor technologies are being developed to continuously monitor water quality and detect pollution sources.

Progress is being made in areas such as basin-based management, use of alternative water resources, water quality monitoring and treatment technologies. In the last 15 years, we have prepared action plans for 25 water basins and carried out various water pollution solution projects. Preparation of Basin Protection Action Plans, Identification of Sensitive Areas and Water Quality Targets, Identification of Nitrate Sensitive Areas and Preparation of Action Plans were completed. In addition, Implementation of the Total Maximum Daily Load Approach focusing on specific problems of water basins, River Basin Management Plans and numerous Drinking Water Basin Protection Plans were carried out.

Featured Projects

• Determination of River Water Quality and Pollution Sources
  • Objective: To determine river water quality and pollution sources.
  • Outcome: Water quality improvement works were carried out in Aksu Stream and Acisu Stream basins.

• Solar Water Treatment

  • Objective: To develop new materials to obtain clean drinking water.
  • Conclusion: A solar water purification system was developed using graphene-based materials.

• Analysis of Hydromorphological Changes

  • Objective: To monitor hydromorphological changes of rivers.
  • Conclusion: Provided baseline data on environmental issues such as marine mucilage.

• Optimization of Drinking Water Distribution Systems

  • Objective: To create a model to reduce water loss and leakage.
  • Conclusion: A new water-saving system was developed for Water and Sewerage Administrations.

• Waste Water Recovery and Reuse

  • Objective: To ensure wastewater recovery in industrial facilities and urban areas.
  • Outcome: The proportion of reclaimed water used in industrial plants was increased.

• Smart Irrigation Systems in Agriculture

  • Objective: To prevent water waste and increase efficiency in agricultural irrigation.
  • Conclusion: Artificial intelligence-supported irrigation systems were developed to optimize water use.

• Use of Gray Water and Desalinated Water

  • Objective: To evaluate alternative water sources.
  • Outcome: Solutions for graywater recycling and desalinated water use were developed.

• Harvesting Rainwater in Cities

  • Objective: To promote the storage and use of rainwater.
  • Outcome: Rainwater harvesting systems installed in pilot cities.

Sustainable Water Management through Technology and Innovation

TÜBİTAK carries out national and international projects on the efficient use of water and the development of alternative resources. We contribute to the protection of water resources with projects we develop in areas such as water saving in the textile and food industries, wastewater recovery, gray water and desalinated water use.

• Water Management with Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem Linkage

  • Objective: To manage resources efficiently using water circularity principles.
  • Conclusion: Water and ecosystem relations in the Porsuk Basin were defined and new management models were developed.

As TUBITAK, we will continue to work with determination for the protection and sustainable management of water resources.