While 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water, the risk of water scarcity is also increasing in Türkiye due to population growth and the climate crisis. Experts warn that water conservation is vital for a sustainable future, emphasizing that by 2050, the annual amount of water per capita in Türkiye is expected to decrease to as low as 1,069 cubic meters.
Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş noted that small measures taken in daily life can lead to significant savings: “By repairing leaking taps, installing water-saving devices on faucets, using water-efficient showerheads, and choosing dishwashers and washing machines that save water and energy, tons of water can be conserved. By avoiding pre-washing, not running machines before they are full, not letting water run unnecessarily while showering or brushing teeth, and using dual-flush toilets, we can use water much more efficiently.”
Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş, Assistant Professor and Vice Director of the Graduate School of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (VSHS), evaluated individual water-saving measures on the occasion of September 18 Water Conservation Day.
Türkiye may become a water-scarce country
Highlighting that the importance of water has become more vital than ever, Asst. Prof. Karakaş said: “Due to the limited and decreasing availability of water resources, increasing drought, and global climate change, water conservation has become more important in recent years. Saving water ensures a sustainable future and helps preserve water resources. With consumption habits and socioeconomic differences, water usage increases every year. Worldwide, 2.2 billion people cannot access drinkable clean water. Especially in rural areas, four out of five people cannot reach potable water. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-6) ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’ aims to ensure access to clean water for all. Our country is categorized as water-stressed; however, with the growing population, the amount of usable annual water per capita is expected to drop to 1,200 cubic meters in 2030, 1,116 cubic meters in 2040, and 1,069 cubic meters in 2050. These figures show that our country may reach the status of a water-scarce nation.”
What do “water stress” and “water scarcity” mean?
Asst. Prof. Karakaş explained that “water stress” refers to situations where demand for water exceeds the available amount in a given period or where poor water quality limits its use: “Water stress results from the overuse of water resources, which changes their quantity, and from pollution, which affects their quality. With climate change and population growth, it is expected that water stress will increase significantly in the coming years. Water scarcity, on the other hand, is determined by the annual amount of water available per capita. Countries with at least 10,000 cubic meters of water per capita per year are considered water-rich; those between 3,000–10,000 cubic meters have sufficient water; those between 1,000–3,000 cubic meters are considered water-stressed; and those below 1,000 cubic meters are categorized as water-scarce.”
Big savings with simple measures
Highlighting that small measures taken in daily life can provide significant savings, Asst. Prof. İnci Karakaş continued: “The water storage capacity of toilet tanks is 16 liters. A family of four, using a 16-liter toilet tank, consumes 7 tons of water per month just for flushing. By using toilet tanks with a smaller capacity, such as 7 liters, water consumption can be reduced to 2.5–3 tons. If the tank has a 16-liter capacity, placing filled 1.5-liter plastic bottles inside the tank can reduce water use by 20%. While traditional showerheads release an average of 15–20 liters of water per minute, low-flow showerheads use only 9–10 liters per minute. Thus, during a 5-minute shower, much less water is consumed. Low-flow showerheads can save 30–40% of water. Turning off the tap while brushing teeth or washing your face saves an average of 15–35 liters of water.”
The main areas of water use at home
Asst. Prof. Karakaş emphasized that most household water is wasted in bathrooms, toilets, and cleaning: “In homes, 35% of water is used in bathrooms, 30% in toilets, 20% in laundry and dishwashing, 10% in kitchens, and 5% for cleaning purposes. By keeping the tap closed while brushing teeth or washing your face, 15–35 liters of water can be saved daily. Collecting the water that flows while waiting for the shower to warm up and using it for cleaning also contributes to savings. Washing machines and dishwashers consume an average of 40 liters of water per cycle. Running machines only when full and using short programs can save significant amounts of water. Vegetables and fruits should not be washed under running water but in a bowl, and the water can then be reused for watering plants and gardens. Repairing leaking taps and detecting and fixing water leaks is also of great importance.”
50% savings with drip irrigation in gardens
Reminding that water can be used more efficiently in garden and balcony irrigation, Asst. Prof. Karakaş offered the following suggestions: “By choosing drip irrigation systems that deliver water directly to plant roots, water loss is prevented. Drip irrigation systems save up to 50% of water; the soil receives only the amount of water it needs, and since only the targeted plants are irrigated, weed growth is also prevented. In addition, watering in the evening helps prevent water loss through evaporation. This way, the soil absorbs water more effectively, avoiding unnecessary use. Choosing drought-resistant plants can also lead to significant water savings.”
Small steps make a big difference
Emphasizing that water conservation through individual measures can create a major impact at the societal level, Asst. Prof. Karakaş concluded: “It is important to raise awareness on a large scale for the efficient use of water. Special days such as World Water Day (March 22) and Water Conservation Day (September 18) help highlight the importance of protecting water resources and encourage water-saving practices. Thus, social awareness is raised, and water can be used more efficiently. Repairing leaking taps, installing water-saving devices on faucets, using efficient showerheads, and choosing water- and energy-efficient dishwashers and washing machines can save tons of water. In addition, avoiding pre-washing, not running machines until they are full, not letting water run unnecessarily while showering or brushing teeth, and using dual-flush toilets all allow us to use water much more efficiently.”