Water quality monitoring studies of Turkey with present and probable future constraints and opportunities

Abstract

Resolving conflict situations in water resources management is possible only if solutions are properly denoted in all important aspects, from understanding of physical and chemical aspects to the implementation of sound institutional arrangements in order to formulate national and international policies. State Hydraulic Works (SHW), which is responsible for inland water resources development of Turkey, has great responsibility in a contemporary watershed based management among all stakeholders. At present, SHW is the only organization, which has regular systematic surface and ground water quality monitoring network all over Turkey. SHW operates 1150 stations, at which about 35 physical, chemical and bacteriological water quality parameters are measured. According to the outcome of water quality monitoring studies of SHW, water quality has deteriorated in most of the inland water resources mainly due to the lack of appropriate pollution control mechanisms, coupled with failure to enforce efficient legislation. In most of the basins, significant pollution increase is reported due to domestic and industrial discharges and agricultural activities. Furthermore, in some instances, deterioration has reached alarming level for surface waters situated in large metropolises. Resolving conflict situations within water resources management context is possible only if solutions are properly denoted in all important aspects. With this intention, it is the purpose of this paper to present water quality monitoring practices of SHW with present and potential future constraints and opportunities.