Water Scarcity
The most adequate indicator of the sufficiency of
countries' freshwater resources is the annual renewable freshwater
available per person. The capacity below 1.000 cubic meters is
a parameter which shows the water scarcity problem to water engineers
and planners.
In the framework of the Population and Environment
Program, a study has been made for 100 countries by taking into
account the indices of annual renewable freshwater amount per
capita concerning the years 1955, 1990 and 2025. The study indicates
only 7 countries which had water scarcity problems in 1955, but
20 in 1990. It also anticipates that the number of countries will
increase up to 31 in 2025.
Water Potential of Turkey
In Turkey, not being counted among the countries
that have scarce water, the annual renewable freshwater amount
per capita is rapidly decreasing. The amount was 8509 m3
in 1955, it has fallen to 3623m3 in 1990, and it is
expected to decline to 2186 m3 in 2025.
The precipitation is another indicator which shows
the magnitude of freshwater resources. While the world average
is 1000 mm, the annual precipitation is only 642.6 mm in Turkey.
When high population growth (25 %O) and rapid industrialization
are taken into consideration, it is clear that water consumption
and water pollution will also increase. All these factors necessitate
the integrated management of water resources.
State Policies
The Seventh five-year Development Plan which covers
1996-2000 period underlines main principles, policies and objectives
in regard to proper management of water resources, such as:
institution of new structure for the management of
water resources whose importance is gradually increasing, giving
emphasis to the harmony in construction of municipal water, sewerage
and treatment facilities,
ensuring the mental, physical and financial participation
of the users in the planning, implementation and management of
infrastructure investments which are placed within the context
of development of land and water resources,
drawing up of a Water Law, includes institutional
reorganization concerning planning, management and conservation
of underground and surface water resources for the purpose of
rational utilization in different sectors, and elimination of
disorganization in the existing legislation.
drawing up of necessary legislation for the planning
and implementation of the required environmental impact assessment
studies and the resettlement projects to
Institutional and Legal Framework
In Turkey, the responsibility for the development,
management, protection and conservation of water resources is
shouldered by numerous ministries and agencies as shown in Fig.
l. There are almost 50 laws related with the water resources and
management, including the laws identifying the responsibilities
of related organizations.
Information about the main organizations related
with the water management issue and their responsibilities are
summarized below.
The Ministry of Environment : It was established
as Undersecretariat of Environment attached to the Prime Ministry
in 1978 and was elevated to Ministry status in 1991. It is designated
as the main responsible body for environmental management and
charged with co-ordinating all national and international activities
concerning water resources.
Its organizational structure provides for Province
Environmental Directorates authorized to decide on water related
issue.
The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works
(SHW) : It is affiliated to the Ministry of Energy and Natural
Resources. It is a leading body carrying out most of subsector
activities at all stages of water resources development. SHW ensures
the long term supply of drinking and industrial water and also
plans, executes and in most cases operates works for flood protection,
irrigation, drainage and hydropower generation. The responsibilities
of SHW also include performing basic investigations such as, flow
gauging, soil classification, water quality monitoring, preparation
of river basin development plans and formulation of proposals
for constructions financing and subsequent operation of these
works.
The General Directorate of Bank of Provinces: It
is affiliated to the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement.
The responsibilities of Iller Bank are to provide infrastructure
projects on a turn-key basis for municipalities, to provide credit
for financing these projects, to prepare urban development plans,
to provide technical assistance for construction, mapping, selling
or renting materials and equipment, to insure property and to
train the staff of the municipalities.
The General Directorate of Electrical Power Resources
Survey: It is affiliated to the Ministry of Energy and Natural
Resources and has the responsibility of carrying out hydrological
studies, geotechnical investigations and mapping activities to
evaluate the national hydroelectric potential and subsequently
preparing reconnaissance, prefeasibility, feasibility and final
design studies of identified projects. The projects are set out
in protocols made with SHW.
The Undersecretariat of State Planning Orgarnization
(SPO) : Its principal function is to prepare annual investment
programs and five years development plans for various sectors
of the economy. In line with the policies and principles set out
in the development plans, SPO adjusts the national fund for the
allocation of the projects and the programs which are under the
responsibility of various ministries.
The General Directorate of Rural Services: It is
affiliated to the State Ministry and responsible for irrigation,
aquaculture, water supply issues in the rural areas.
In addition, Water and Sewage Administrations connected
to the Metropolitan Municipalities (15 out of 80 provincial capital
municipalities) have taken part in the implementation of pollution
control policies, including water supply and construction and
operation of wastewater treatment facilities.
As defined by the Constitution, control over all
ground and common surface waters, with the exception of some privately
owned springs and small waters, is vested in the Government. The
Environment Act, promulgated in 1983, set up main policies and
principles for the protection of environment. The Act appears
as a framework law and leaves the technical aspects to the regulations.
The Regulation on Water Pollution Control forced in 1988 classifies
all inland waters in line with the water quality standards and
identifies industrial effluent discharge criteria.
Conclusion
On one hand the needs relative to the population
increase and on the other the rising standard of life force the
most rational management practices concerning the water resources.
Especially in countries like Turkey with high development rate,
economic and social aspects of water resources become very important.
Regarding the prevention of water pollution and protection
of water resources, the scattered and insufficient implementations
have been recovered in a high range by the promulgation of the
Environment Act and the Regulation on Water Pollution Control.
However, existence of various organizations which have responsibility in different parts of water resources management could cause duplications in implementation. On the other hand, the allocation of surface water resources issue has been still waiting for legal arrangements. In this context, solving of all problems related with water issues requires development of effective coordination and cooperation among the relevant organizations carrying out programs and projects and strengthening the capacity in administrative system including qualified staff and equipment besides legal framework.