Experts, stating that water resources are decreasing globally, say that a culture of conscious water use is important for sustainability. Emphasizing that water saving is possible with simple measures taken in homes, workplaces, and agriculture, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, 'By providing education on the importance of water and water use in society, families and young people should be made aware. Water saving can be taught in schools by preparing games related to water use for children.'
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş, Deputy Director of the Institute of Health Sciences at Uskudar University's Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) and Environmental Health Program, provided information about the culture of conscious water use.
1.4 billion people lack access to sufficient drinking water
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş noted that water, the fundamental source of life, also constitutes a significant part of the human body, stating, “Water is necessary to meet human needs and protect ecosystem health. Furthermore, water makes up 3/4 of our world. Only 2.5% of this water is usable fresh water, and 1.4 billion people lack access to sufficient drinking water. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of people without access to sufficient drinking water could rise to 3.76 billion. With unconscious water use, important water resources for all living beings are decreasing. Due to rapid population growth, natural water resources and the amount of water per capita are diminishing.”
The way to avoid difficulty in accessing clean water is through water saving
Emphasizing that Türkiye is also among the countries that must use its water resources correctly, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş explained, “If water consumption is not managed consciously, water problems will be faced, and it will be difficult to access clean water. In the absence of access to clean water, epidemic diseases may occur. The way to prevent this problem is through water saving. Water saving ensures sustainability by protecting natural water resources. With the decrease in per capita fresh water resources globally, a great risk arises for the ecological system, and these resources can be protected through sustainable water management. A clean environment and a healthy future can be created.”
Water saving can be taught to children in schools
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş also noted that individuals should be informed about efficient water use and saving, continuing:
“By providing education on the importance of water and water use in society, families and young people should be made aware. Water saving can be taught in schools by preparing games related to water use for children. Brochures on water saving and water consumption can be prepared. Additionally, information should be provided about the water footprint, which is an indicator of water consumption.”
Practices for conscious water use in workplaces…
Explaining that practices such as eliminating hidden water leaks, using reclaimed water, and rainwater harvesting can be implemented for conscious water use in workplaces, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Water saving can be achieved in activities like tooth brushing and hand washing by using sensor-controlled faucets. Furthermore, up to 90% water saving can be achieved by using aerators that can be placed on faucet spouts.”
Natural water resources are wasted due to incorrect irrigation methods in agriculture
Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş noted that drip irrigation or sprinkler methods can be used in agriculture for conscious water use, stating, “When irrigation is done with incorrect methods, a significant amount of natural water resources is wasted. With smart systems developed for water saving, the soil moisture level and weather conditions are monitored to determine the required amount of water, and irrigation can be carried out automatically. Through water sensors that can be used in agriculture, the soil moisture level can be measured to determine the correct time for irrigation. This way, water consumption in agriculture is reduced, and water resources are protected. Additionally, terracing can be done on sloped terrains to retain water in the soil and prevent erosion.”
What can be done for conscious water use in homes?
Explaining that water-saving household appliances can be preferred for conscious water use in homes, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Washing machines and dishwashers should not be run before they are full. Shower time should be shortened, and water waste should be prevented. Smart systems should be used for garden irrigation. Water should not be run unnecessarily during daily activities such as washing fruits and vegetables and brushing teeth.”
Rainwater harvesting and wastewater recovery can be done in industrial sectors
Stating that water use in industrial sectors can be reduced as much as possible, and industrial wastewater can be treated, Asst. Prof. Dr. İnci Karakaş said, “Treated water can be reused within the facility as cooling water, process water, and boiler feed water. In addition, efficient water use is achieved through rainwater harvesting, wastewater recovery, preferring less water-consuming or dry processes, reducing chemical use, optimizing washing and rinsing processes, using cooling towers for cooling, and steam recovery. With such measures, less water will be used, less wastewater will be generated, and energy consumption during treatment will also be reduced.”
What can be done at home for conscious water use, item by item?
• Water saving can be halved by using water-saving aerators in faucets.
• Washing machines and dishwashers consume an average of 40 liters of water per cycle. Dishwashers and washing machines should not be run before they are full, and water-saving machines should be preferred.
• Before placing dishes in the machine, leftover food scraps on plates should not be rinsed but scraped into the trash with a napkin.
• When washing fruits and vegetables, do not wash them under running water; wash them in a basin.
• Water used in the kitchen should be reused. (Water used for washing fruits can be used for watering flowers.)
• Approximately 10 liters of water are wasted with a single flush. By using water-saving toilets, 60% less water consumption is achieved.
• Low-capacity toilet cisterns should be preferred.
• By placing weight-creating items like water-filled plastic bottles inside toilet cisterns, approximately 20% less water consumption can be achieved.
• Low-flow aerated shower heads should be used instead of classic ones. While classic shower heads typically run 15-20 liters of water per minute, low-flow aerated shower heads support water saving by consuming 9-10 liters of water per minute.
• A large amount of water is wasted while waiting for the water to heat up during a shower. During this time, the warming water can be collected in an empty bucket and used for cleaning or in the toilet.
• Water should be turned off during activities like brushing teeth and washing hands to prevent an average of 15 liters of water from running to waste per minute.
• Toilets and faucets should be checked for water leaks and drips.