TÜBİTAK MAM Environment and Cleaner Production Institute organized a workshop on Determination of Water Bodies in Akarçay, Büyük Menderes, Ergene, Konya Closed, Sakarya and Susurluk Basins on 16-27 December 2013 within the scope of 'Project on Determination of Sensitive Areas and Water Quality Targets on Basin Basis in Turkey'.
'Determination of Sensitive Areas and Water Quality Targets on Basin Basis in Turkey Project' is a project initiated to fulfill the requirements under the By-Law on Urban Wastewater Treatment and By-Law on Protection of Waters against Nitrate Pollution from Agricultural Sources. The aim of the project is to identify sensitive areas in surface waters in 25 water basins in Turkey and to determine the measures to be taken to improve water quality by updating the nitrate sensitive water areas identified in surface and groundwater. In this context; existing surface water bodies in 25 water basins in Turkey will be identified and the pressures on water bodies due to urban, industrial and agricultural activities and basin-based pollution loads will be determined. Then, monitoring studies will be carried out at the determined points and eutrophication status due to nutrient pollution in the environment will be determined experimentally. Sensitive water areas will be identified by evaluating the calculated pollution loads and the data obtained as a result of monitoring. Nitrate sensitive areas will be revised by using the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock nitrate monitoring data and making necessary evaluations. Water quality targets will also be set for the identified sensitive water areas.
One of the first steps of the project is the identification of lake and river water bodies under the Water Framework Directive. Experts from the General Directorate of Water Management of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, relevant Regional Directorates of State Hydraulic Works, Provincial Directorates of Environment and Urbanization and Provincial Directorates of Food, Agriculture and Livestock participated in the workshop. With the participation of experts from TÜBİTAK MAM Environment and Cleaner Production Institute, lake and river water bodies were determined in each basin using the analyzes carried out in the Geographical Information System environment.
