Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services Environmental Health Program organized an event titled 'Energy Production from Wastewater', moderated by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Lecturer İnci Karakaş. Dr. Lecturer Gökhan Balcıoğlu from Antalya AKEV University, who participated as a speaker in the program, said; 'Water resources in Turkey are in good condition, but these figures can be reversed with one year of drought. According to TÜİK data, there is a possibility that Turkey will become water poor in 2030.'
"We must treat wastewater to protect our natural resources"
Balcıoğlu stated that the reason for wastewater treatment is legal obligations, and the purpose of this process is to protect natural resources. Balcıoğlu said; 'Sustainability, treatment is very important for the future beneficial use of natural resources. The field of environmental engineering is not only concerned with wastewater but also; air pollution, soil pollution, and noise pollution. Optimization is needed to increase the efficiency of everything released to the market.'
"If legal obligation is not applied, wastewater will not be treated"
Balcıoğlu stated that legal obligations have a deterrent effect on the purification of wastewater resulting from production and consumption; 'If this obligation were not applied, wastewater would not be purified. Legal obligation is the strongest fortress of this work. Penalties and inspections are very important. Designing processes with regulations guides wastewater treatment. These works cannot be carried out on a single leg; the academic leg, the engineering leg, and legal practices support each other. If these areas work in coordination, future problems will not be experienced.'
"According to TÜİK data, there is a possibility that Turkey will be water poor in 2030"
Balcıoğlu stated that water resources in Turkey are in good condition, but these figures could be reversed with one year of drought. Balcıoğlu said; 'According to TÜİK data, there is a possibility that Turkey will become water poor in 2030. Wastewater can be reused for conservation purposes. If this water is used in agriculture with the drip irrigation technique, we have the chance to save millions of cubic meters annually. Currently, we are on the verge of danger in terms of water quantity; we must take precautions as soon as possible.'
"We can reuse wastewater in many areas after treating it"
Balcıoğlu stated that steps should be taken to prevent water consumption; 'After wastewater is treated, it goes to waste. If we reduce water usage, we will also prevent wastewater formation. We must raise awareness in our environment, starting with our families. By encouraging dishwashing in dishwashers, we can save hundreds of tons of water. After treating wastewater, we can reuse it in many areas outside of food.'
"The world is oriented towards energy, climate change, and electric cars"
Balcıoğlu stated that opportunities in available energy resources should be evaluated; 'Turkey has a very high solar potential in its east, west, north, and south. Don't think it cannot be applied in the Black Sea due to rainfall; it is even used in England. Wind may not be very accessible or economical geographically. Our country also has very strong wave energy potential. Being a pioneer in education and developments in the field of usable energy resources is very important. The world is oriented towards energy, climate change, and electric cars.' he concluded.