Globally and in our country, global warming and climate change are increasing pressure on water and threatening water reserves. Experts, emphasizing simple but effective measures to save water in homes, workplaces, and social areas, warn against running washing machines and dishwashers before they are full. Experts note that with an individual's daily water consumption of 200-250 liters in metropolitan areas in our country, we exceed the world average, stating that we are a candidate country for water poverty.
1 person in a metropolitan area consumes 200-250 liters of water per day!
Dr. Ahmet Adiller from the Environmental Health Program at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services offered recommendations regarding drought threats and conscious water consumption.
Increasing water demand is a global issue!
Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that global warming, one of the most popular environmental topics in recent years, and the accompanying global climate change are steadily increasing their impact. He said, “Record high temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere during winter months, dry periods, and periodic and regional floods are the most significant indicators of this situation. Because drought and floods prevent sufficient storage of clean water, the amount of water required by the growing population is on the verge of becoming unmet in a large part of the world.”
Regional water reserves are under threat
Noting that global warming and climate change are steadily increasing pressure on water, Dr. Ahmet Adiller said, “The lack of long-term precipitation during drought conditions threatens regional water reserves. At the same time, intense rainfall that can cause floods and inundations leads to water flowing into seas instead of being stored in rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Data collected over many years also shows a decrease in snowfall due to temperature, and the accumulation of snow in high altitudes and its melting in spring to feed rivers is regionally quite important.”
We are a candidate country for water poverty
Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that when we look at our country generally, especially in metropolitan areas, the per capita daily water consumption is 200-250 liters. He warned, “Although not extremely high compared to some countries in the world, it is quite above the world average. Unfortunately, our country does not have enough water potential to be considered among water-rich countries. In fact, considering global climate change, we are a candidate country for water poverty.”
We must review daily habits
Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that a large part of our daily habits leads to water waste. He said, “Daily habits that many of us do unconsciously, such as leaving the tap running while brushing teeth, using high-volume flush tanks in toilets, and turning the tap on too much while washing hands, lead to excessive water consumption. Even if these habits cause an extra 5 liters of water to be used per day, it can result in 146 million cubic meters (146 billion liters) of water being wasted annually in our country with a population of 80 million.” He emphasized that water should be used economically.
Simple but effective measures are possible
Dr. Ahmet Adiller also touched upon simple but effective measures to save water in homes, workplaces, and social areas, stating the following:
“Firstly, we need to get rid of behavioral habits such as leaving the tap running while brushing teeth, using high-volume flush tanks in toilets, and turning the tap on too much while washing hands. Furthermore, although the use of washing machines and dishwashers can reduce water consumption, frequently running these appliances before they are full and choosing models that consume excessive water also lead to increased water usage. In addition, there are simple devices available for taps that reduce water usage and save water. Shortening the duration of showers can also be mentioned as another measure that will significantly reduce water consumption.”
Awareness starts with the family
Dr. Ahmet Adiller pointed out what needs to be done to raise awareness among children and young people about the global climate problem and drought at an early age, stating, “In our country, there are environmental and climate change courses at different education levels starting from primary school. Within this curriculum, the importance and scarcity of water are also mentioned. However, our children register what they learn from their families, in addition to what they learn in class, into their subconscious. Therefore, in an environmental sense, children first see their parents as role models. This is why environmental education must start within the family. When a family raises individuals who love and respect nature, environmental education in schools can also reach its intended goal. Therefore, it is of great importance for adults to also gain this awareness.”
Rainwater harvesting systems should be mandatory in every new building!
Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that despite climate change and water scarcity frequently being on the agenda, it is a topic that does not receive the necessary societal attention. He also drew attention to the duties of public institutions, NGOs, and the state in raising public awareness.
Dr. Ahmet Adiller stated that many people, upon seeing the rivers and lakes around them, adopt the mindset of ‘This water is enough for us for a lifetime,’ and concluded his words as follows:
“Furthermore, it is contrary to the behavioral habits of the consumer society we live in. Therefore, we cannot develop public awareness on this issue. At this point, awareness campaigns should, of course, continue, and the public should acquire the habit of saving water. However, in my opinion, the state needs to make this mandatory at certain points. Making rainwater harvesting systems, used for rainwater recovery, mandatory in every newly built building and old buildings with large roof areas, and preventing the sale of products with low water efficiency, could yield more positive results in the short term.”