SUSTAINABLE URBAN WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT: A PRIORITY AGENDA ITEM IN TURKEY Idil Arslan-Alaton, Aysegul Tanik, Suleyman Ovez, Gulen Iskender, Melike Gurel.

SUSTAINABLE URBAN SUSTAINABLE URBAN WASTEWATER WASTEWATER

MANAGEMENT: MANAGEMENT: A PRIORITY AGENDA ITEM A PRIORITY AGENDA ITEM

IN TURKEYIN TURKEYIdil Arslan-AlatonIdil Arslan-Alaton, Aysegul , Aysegul

Tanik, Suleyman Ovez, Gulen Tanik, Suleyman Ovez, Gulen Iskender, Iskender,

Melike Gurel and Derin OrhonMelike Gurel and Derin OrhonIstanbul Technical University, Faculty of Civil Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Department of Environmental

Engineering, Engineering, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

IntroductionIntroduction WWater and wastewater management have to ater and wastewater management have to

be considered in conjunction with each other be considered in conjunction with each other WaterWater and environment concerns are priority and environment concerns are priority

tasks for Turkey tasks for Turkey TurkeyTurkey has already lost 1.3 million ha of has already lost 1.3 million ha of

wetland corresponding to three times the area wetland corresponding to three times the area of Van Lakeof Van Lake in the last 40 years in the last 40 years

Turkey is going to be classified among the Turkey is going to be classified among the countries facing serious water shortage countries facing serious water shortage problems in the next decadeproblems in the next decade

Water capacity per person isWater capacity per person is 2020 m 2020 m33 for Ira for Iraqq, , 3000 m3000 m33 in the average for Asia, but only 1430 in the average for Asia, but only 1430 mm33 for Turkey for Turkey..........................

Main obstacles to Main obstacles to overcome....overcome....

LLack of ack of infrastructure and its infrastructure and its proper proper maintenance maintenance

MMonitoring and control of existing onitoring and control of existing water/wastewater treatment facilities water/wastewater treatment facilities

SSocio-cultural and economical limitations ocio-cultural and economical limitations regarding water supply and wastewater reuse regarding water supply and wastewater reuse

LLack of coordination between the national and ack of coordination between the national and local authoritieslocal authorities

IInefficient and insufficient systematic database nefficient and insufficient systematic database for the sewer collection and treatmentfor the sewer collection and treatment

Problems related with sProblems related with scarce water sourcescarce water sources, , inappropriate and/or insufficient water and inappropriate and/or insufficient water and wastewater management facilities and wastewater management facilities and strategiesstrategies

Aim and Scope of the StudyAim and Scope of the Study

RReflecting the current situation of Turkish eflecting the current situation of Turkish urban wastewater treatment plants urban wastewater treatment plants (UWWTP(UWWTP’’s) in terms of s) in terms of treatment efficiency and capacity treatment efficiency and capacity actual population served actual population served type of treatment and discharge environment type of treatment and discharge environment

of the effluent of the effluent nationnation--wide data collection through a survey wide data collection through a survey

accomplished by means of comprehensive accomplished by means of comprehensive questionnaires during December 2003-May questionnaires during December 2003-May 20062006

• Identification of the population served by Identification of the population served by UWWTPsUWWTPs

• Presentation of the current technologies Presentation of the current technologies applied in the country’s UWWTPapplied in the country’s UWWTP’’ss

• Qualitative and quantitative assessment Qualitative and quantitative assessment of of the the current situation of Turkish current situation of Turkish UWWTPUWWTP’’ss

• Prevailing effluent disposal criteria, Prevailing effluent disposal criteria, methods and best practicesmethods and best practices

• Reuse potential of effluent received from Reuse potential of effluent received from UWWTPUWWTP’’ss

• Elucidation of needs for upgrading Elucidation of needs for upgrading UWWTPUWWTP’’s to comply with the currents to comply with the current and and future future discharge criteriadischarge criteria

The database for the realization of the EU-project was established by following a step-by-step survey given as;

Urban Wastewater Urban Wastewater Treatment Policies in Treatment Policies in

TurkeyTurkey The responsibility of constructing, operating and The responsibility of constructing, operating and monitoring the sewage collection and treatment systems monitoring the sewage collection and treatment systems is given to the municipalities since 1930 is given to the municipalities since 1930

The State Planning Organization (SPO) has decided to The State Planning Organization (SPO) has decided to distribute clean drinking water to everybody, and collect distribute clean drinking water to everybody, and collect and treat domestic wastewater everywhere in the country and treat domestic wastewater everywhere in the country within the framework of the “International Drinking Water within the framework of the “International Drinking Water and Sanitation-Studies for the Next Decade-” that has and Sanitation-Studies for the Next Decade-” that has been initiated in 1980been initiated in 1980

The law on “Municipalities Income” (dated 1981 and The law on “Municipalities Income” (dated 1981 and further revised in 1985) has brought the concept of further revised in 1985) has brought the concept of constructing sewage treatment plants being financially constructing sewage treatment plants being financially supported by land and construction owners supported by land and construction owners

The major items of environmental health and pollution The major items of environmental health and pollution prevention has been referred and stated in the prevention has been referred and stated in the “Environment Constitution” dated 1983 “Environment Constitution” dated 1983

Urban Wastewater Urban Wastewater Treatment Policies in Treatment Policies in

TurkeyTurkey The National WPCR published in 1988 dictates the The National WPCR published in 1988 dictates the

receiving water standards for wastewater that are receiving water standards for wastewater that are collected through sewage systems and treated collected through sewage systems and treated either by means of dilution or through satisfactory either by means of dilution or through satisfactory treatment treatment

Till late 1990’s, the National Bank of Provinces has Till late 1990’s, the National Bank of Provinces has been in charge of realizing wastewater treatment been in charge of realizing wastewater treatment plants within the framework of annual investment plants within the framework of annual investment programmes according to instructions of the related programmes according to instructions of the related municipalitiesmunicipalities

Nowadays many associations (the Greater Nowadays many associations (the Greater Metropolitan Municipalities, Water and Sewerage Metropolitan Municipalities, Water and Sewerage Administrations, the Ministry of Tourism, Southeast Administrations, the Ministry of Tourism, Southeast Anatolian Project Administration, the General Anatolian Project Administration, the General Directorate of Special Protection Areas and the Directorate of Special Protection Areas and the General Directorate of Massive Housing) deal with General Directorate of Massive Housing) deal with the investment of wastewater treatment plants by the investment of wastewater treatment plants by themselvesthemselves

Urban Wastewater Urban Wastewater Treatment Policies in Treatment Policies in

TurkeyTurkey According to theAccording to the 9th National Development Plan 9th National Development Plan

established for the period 2007-2013 established for the period 2007-2013 by the by the SPOSPO;; 80% of the population benefits from sewer 80% of the population benefits from sewer

systemssystems 47% is provided with wastewater treatment47% is provided with wastewater treatment 93% of the total population is supplied with 93% of the total population is supplied with

drinking waterdrinking water only 42% is being served by drinking water only 42% is being served by drinking water

treatment facilities treatment facilities EU legislations will be adopted and appliedEU legislations will be adopted and applied reliable and integrated information systems reliable and integrated information systems

will be established will be established tracking, auditing and reporting infrastructure tracking, auditing and reporting infrastructure

will be further developedwill be further developed..

Urban Wastewater Urban Wastewater Treatment Policies in Treatment Policies in

TurkeyTurkey In order to meet the requirements of Urban In order to meet the requirements of Urban

Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, the national wastewater directive for the national wastewater directive for discharge of urban wastewater to the discharge of urban wastewater to the municipal sewage system has been recently municipal sewage system has been recently published as an amended by-law on urban published as an amended by-law on urban wastewater treatment in 2006wastewater treatment in 2006..

This legislation coversThis legislation covers;;

the discharge of urban wastewater to receiving the discharge of urban wastewater to receiving water bodieswater bodies

design, construction and collection of municipal design, construction and collection of municipal sewage sewage ((with special emphasis on treatment with special emphasis on treatment principles that have to be applied according to the principles that have to be applied according to the population equivalencies and sensitivity of the population equivalencies and sensitivity of the receiving water bodreceiving water body)y)

Urban Wastewater Urban Wastewater Treatment Policies in Treatment Policies in

TurkeyTurkey TimeTime frames have been allocated to construct and operate frames have been allocated to construct and operate

wastewater treatment plants and sewer collectors, as well as wastewater treatment plants and sewer collectors, as well as to meet the requirements of the amended to meet the requirements of the amended by-lby-law based on aw based on population equivalencies (PE’s) changing between less than population equivalencies (PE’s) changing between less than 2,000 to more than 100,000 PE2,000 to more than 100,000 PE..

Moreover, the national directive sets discharge limit values Moreover, the national directive sets discharge limit values together with percent treatment efficiencies that have to be together with percent treatment efficiencies that have to be considered for secondary as well as tertiary treatment of urban considered for secondary as well as tertiary treatment of urban wastewater. wastewater.

The country’s municipalities are obliged to satisfy the limit The country’s municipalities are obliged to satisfy the limit values values or treatment efficiencies or treatment efficiencies indicated for different indicated for different discharge parametersdischarge parameters according to PE’s; according to PE’s; 25 mg/L for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD25 mg/L for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD55)) 125 mg/L for chemical oxygen demand (COD) 125 mg/L for chemical oxygen demand (COD) 35 35 or or 60 mg/L 60 mg/L for for total suspended solids (TSS) total suspended solids (TSS) 70-90% for BOD70-90% for BOD55 75% for COD75% for COD 90% or 70% for TSS90% or 70% for TSS

Urban Wastewater Urban Wastewater Management in TurkeyManagement in Turkey

TThere are currently 131 UWWTP’s here are currently 131 UWWTP’s operating in Turkey (Municipalities, 2003 operating in Turkey (Municipalities, 2003 and 2006)and 2006);;

67 are located in the 13 Greater 67 are located in the 13 Greater Metropolitan Municipalities of the country Metropolitan Municipalities of the country

12 12 UWWTP’s are located in Istanbul (most UWWTP’s are located in Istanbul (most crowded city of Turkey)crowded city of Turkey)

16 in Antalya (center of tourism along the 16 in Antalya (center of tourism along the Mediterranean Sea) Mediterranean Sea)

6 in Kocaeli (an industrialized province in 6 in Kocaeli (an industrialized province in the vicinity of Istanbulthe vicinity of Istanbul))

Population served by Population served by UWWTP’sUWWTP’s

Type of Settlement Number of Plants Percent Distribution (%) City (Population > 100,000) 28 21 Municipality (Population in the range of 15,000 – 100,000)

62 47

Province (Population < 15,000) 41 31 Total 131 100

Provinces of Turkey and distribution of the country’s UWWTP’s

Population served by UWWTP’s in the provinces of Turkey

Type of UWWTP’sType of UWWTP’s

51 UWWTP’s practice only primary 51 UWWTP’s practice only primary (physical) treatment (physical) treatment

7373 apply secondary (biological) treatment apply secondary (biological) treatment 7 have tertiary (advanced) treatment 7 have tertiary (advanced) treatment

facilities for nitrogen and/or phosphorous facilities for nitrogen and/or phosphorous removal removal

InIn settlements with a population settlements with a population >> 100,000 100,000,, 66% practice secondary treatment66% practice secondary treatment

47% of the settlements with a population 47% of the settlements with a population << 100,000 apply secondary treatment usually 100,000 apply secondary treatment usually followed by followed by seasea discharge discharge..

Performance of Performance of UWWTP’sUWWTP’s

Relatively new treatment plants are Relatively new treatment plants are capable of removing 96-99 % COD, BODcapable of removing 96-99 % COD, BOD55 and TSS from the wastewater and TSS from the wastewater

ForFor older UWWTP’s treatment efficiency older UWWTP’s treatment efficiency ranges between 0-90 % ranges between 0-90 %

TThe treatment performance is fluctuating he treatment performance is fluctuating and not and not always always satisfactory enough to satisfactory enough to comply with the national discharge comply with the national discharge consentsconsents

TThe unit price of electrical energy he unit price of electrical energy waswas 0.13 0.13 YTL/kWh corresponding to 0.074 EUR/kWhYTL/kWh corresponding to 0.074 EUR/kWh..

Effluent Discharge TypeEffluent Discharge Type

Discharge Medium

Number of Treatment

Plants (-)

Percent of Treatment

Plants (%)

Annual Effluent

Volume being discharged (m3/year)

Percent of total discharged Effluent by

Volume (%)

Lakes/Dams 10 8 4 273 837 3 Rivers/Creeks 61 46 8 27 254 844 40 Land 12 9 89 318 081

4

Sea 48 37 1 069 276 667

52

Total 131 100 2 050 123 429

100

The amount of treated effluent The amount of treated effluent being discharged to different being discharged to different

types of receiving water types of receiving water bodies at Turkish UWWTP’sbodies at Turkish UWWTP’s

TThe volume of wastewater being he volume of wastewater being discharged into the marine discharged into the marine environment environment is is 52%52%

TThe number of UWWTP’s that he number of UWWTP’s that discharge their effluent to the marine discharge their effluent to the marine environment is 37% environment is 37%

TThe main pollution load originating he main pollution load originating from the UWWTP’s end up in the seas from the UWWTP’s end up in the seas surrounding three sides of the surrounding three sides of the countrycountry..

Waste Management & Waste Management & Sludge DisposalSludge Disposal

Sludge Disposal Method

Number of UWWTP’s

Percent of total UWWTP’s (%)

Sanitary landfills 21 45 Compost/fertilizer 13 28 Storing on the premises of the UWWTP

3 6

Other 7 15 No information available 3 6 Total 131 100

Reuse Potential of UWWTP Reuse Potential of UWWTP Effluent in TurkeyEffluent in Turkey

Although the Turkish legislation on wastewater reuse in Although the Turkish legislation on wastewater reuse in agriculture has been established in 1991, there is no major agriculture has been established in 1991, there is no major improvement in improvement in its its realization since then. realization since then.

Only fewOnly few applications exist in small communities where applications exist in small communities where domestic wastewater is used for irrigation of forest areas, domestic wastewater is used for irrigation of forest areas, gardens and parks. gardens and parks.

There are several planning procedures for the treatment of There are several planning procedures for the treatment of urban wastewater and its reuse for agricultural irrigationurban wastewater and its reuse for agricultural irrigation; f; for or instance, treated effluent originating from Ankara UWWTP is instance, treated effluent originating from Ankara UWWTP is used for irrigation of several crops. used for irrigation of several crops.

Konya province is particularly known as the Konya province is particularly known as the ““grain cellargrain cellar”” and the largest agricultural area of the countryand the largest agricultural area of the country. Currently . Currently there are there are planning efforts of using Konya UWWTP effluent planning efforts of using Konya UWWTP effluent for the irrigation of cereals.for the irrigation of cereals.

AA comprehensive, regional project known as the Southern comprehensive, regional project known as the Southern Anatolia Project Anatolia Project also features wastewater treatment and also features wastewater treatment and reuse for agricultural irrigation purposes.reuse for agricultural irrigation purposes.

Project SummaryProject Summary UUp-to-date information about the p-to-date information about the prevailingprevailing situation of situation of

Turkish urban wastewater treatment plantsTurkish urban wastewater treatment plants was provided was provided. . DData ata was collectedwas collected from the governmental agencies from the governmental agencies and and

byby directly contacting the personnel in charge of the directly contacting the personnel in charge of the existing urban wastewater treatment plants of the countryexisting urban wastewater treatment plants of the country

there are currently 131 urban wastewater treatment there are currently 131 urban wastewater treatment plants in operationplants in operation among among which which 51 apply preliminary 51 apply preliminary treatment, 73 operate secondary treatment, 73 operate secondary (biological) (biological) treatment treatment units, and only 7 treatment plants practice tertiary units, and only 7 treatment plants practice tertiary treatment for advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal. treatment for advanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

Actually, only 55% of the total Turkish population is being Actually, only 55% of the total Turkish population is being served by the state-owned sewage treatment works. served by the state-owned sewage treatment works.

CONCLUDING REMARKSCONCLUDING REMARKS TThe required data and information were he required data and information were

highly scattered among the State Authorities highly scattered among the State Authorities and not gathered and not gathered fromfrom a single organization a single organization..

Besides, some of the data haBesides, some of the data hadd to be to be estimated based on literature survey and estimated based on literature survey and personal contactpersonal contactss with the related with the related governmental personnelgovernmental personnel..

Part of the data necessitatePart of the data necessitatedd confirmation confirmation and and werewere considered to be less reliable. considered to be less reliable.

Proper recordings of data still lack and needs Proper recordings of data still lack and needs formation of a systematic database that can formation of a systematic database that can easily be accomplished even by public. easily be accomplished even by public.

CONCLUDING REMARKSCONCLUDING REMARKS Infrastructure developments should be Infrastructure developments should be

immediately involved in the databank and all the immediately involved in the databank and all the obtainable information obtainable information has to be continuouslyhas to be continuously up-datedup-dated..

TThere is ahere is a chronic chronic imbalance in population imbalance in population distribution of the country, making the water distribution of the country, making the water and wastewater issues a difficult taskand wastewater issues a difficult task..

Most of the population is settled around the Most of the population is settled around the coasts coasts and and highly industrialized regionshighly industrialized regions of the of the country due tocountry due to climatic conditions, geographical climatic conditions, geographical structure, existence of transportation network, structure, existence of transportation network, fertility of land, and fertility of land, and other social, economical and other social, economical and political aspects. political aspects.

CONCLUDING REMARKSCONCLUDING REMARKS Sustainable Sustainable water and water and wastewater wastewater

management canmanagement cannotnot be promoted unless be promoted unless the existing situation is well defined. the existing situation is well defined.

Further iFurther investigation of the national nvestigation of the national monitoring and control actsmonitoring and control acts is necessary is necessary, , as without an idea on the national water as without an idea on the national water and wastewater policies it is very and wastewater policies it is very difficultdifficult to establish a healthy and satisfactory to establish a healthy and satisfactory management strategy.management strategy.

Effluent reuse potential has to be explored Effluent reuse potential has to be explored and agricultural reuse has to be practiced.and agricultural reuse has to be practiced.

This work is a part of the projectThis work is a part of the project: : ““Development of Tools and Guidelines Development of Tools and Guidelines for the Promotion of the Sustainable for the Promotion of the Sustainable

Urban Wastewater Treatment and Urban Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in the Agricultural Production Reuse in the Agricultural Production

in the Mediterranean Countries in the Mediterranean Countries (Project Acronym: MEDAWARE)(Project Acronym: MEDAWARE)””

which is financially supported by the which is financially supported by the European Commission, Euro-European Commission, Euro-

Mediterranean Partnership, Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, Euro-Mediterranean Regional Program for Mediterranean Regional Program for

Local Water Management.Local Water Management.