Project Objective
The main objective of the project titled “Development of Circular Water Management Opportunities at a Multisectoral Scale (Urban, Industrial, and Agricultural): The Case of the Küçük Menderes River Basin” is to enhance circular water management possibilities among urban, industrial, and agricultural water users within the Küçük Menderes Basin, thereby promoting rational and efficient water use.
Core Activities
Within the scope of the project, a feasible circular water management model was developed for various users and sectors, supported by a range of analyses and studies aimed at improving the model:
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Basin Identification and Analysis:
The basin’s physical structure, the quality and quantity of its water resources, sectoral usage status, and current natural processes were examined. -
Water Use Profile Development:
Urban, industrial, and agricultural water use profiles were created based on water consumption quantities, source types, and quality data at district and neighborhood levels. -
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Identification:
Indicators were determined and assessed to measure efficiency and circularity performance in each sector. -
Wastewater Profiling and Reuse Analysis:
Wastewater sources within the basin (treated and untreated) were analyzed, discharger-user matchings were carried out, and reuse opportunities were explored. -
Water Pinch Analysis Application:
Water pinch analysis was utilized to optimize water supply-demand matchings.
Key Outputs and Recommendations
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A total of 14 implementation proposals were developed, focusing on recovery and reuse opportunities in the urban-industrial-agricultural context of circular water use, including:
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Reuse of industrial wastewater for process water and irrigation purposes
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Utilization of urban wastewater for park and garden irrigation as well as agricultural irrigation
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Reintroduction of wastewater into industrial facilities
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Under the scope of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS):
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Rainwater harvesting
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Practices such as wetlands and infiltration trenches were examined, and their existing potentials were evaluated.
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Thanks to the project, an integrated circular water management model was developed across different sectors; its applicability was demonstrated both in the Küçük Menderes Basin and in other regions facing similar climate and water challenges. The developed approach offers a methodology that can serve as an example for sustainable water management in combating climate change.