ENVIRONMENTAL TECHONOLOGIES

MANAGEMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT

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Abdulkadir KALAYCIOĞLU

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 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT WATER

Water is a fundamental source essential for the survival of living organisms, and this
source has maintained its significance throughout history. Water is not merely a liquid
consisting of hydrogen and oxygen; it is a molecule necessary for human survival. Imbalances
in the levels of elements in the human body can lead to health problems and, in some cases,
even fatalities. The human body is composed of 60% to 70% water, with high percentages
found in bones, blood, muscles, and brain structures. Thus, it is evident that water is a vital
source for the structural well-being of the human body in the struggle for survival.

Water holds significance not only in the dimension of basic life needs but also in
economic, cultural, social, and technological aspects. The foundation of the industrial
revolution is based on water vapor. In the research conducted by the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) on planets such as Mars, water is prioritized as the primary
substance for human needs. The search for water is the initial focus of exploration on these
planets, aiming to sustain human life with the discovery of water.

The importance of water is immense for the continuity of human life. Its usage spans
across various fields to facilitate human life, such as irrigation in agricultural areas,
manufacturing for industries, and disposal of waste products.

Water is not only crucial for humans but also for all living beings; it is an essential
substance for ecosystems. This resource, vital for the continuity of life, forms a chain within
the ecosystem. Water plays significant roles in various stages, including nourishing the soil
with water, ensuring the integrity of living organisms with water, constructing structures such
as shelters with water, and decomposing, resolving, and treating waste products generated by
humans. In short, water is a necessary commodity in every aspect of life, and as the
importance of water increases each day, so does the demand for it.

The increase in the global population, diversification of industrial sectors, and rapid
growth of agricultural activities contribute to the escalating demand for water. However, this
increase leads to overconsumption of water resources, triggering unconscious usage of water
resources (Solak et al., 2019).

Although water, as an environmental issue, seems to be unlimited and continuous, only

2.5% of the Earth's water is freshwater, and merely 0.5% of this is utilized. This low
percentage underscores the scarcity of drinkable water. Despite the public perception that
water is abundant, the reality is that our drinkable water sources are limited and diminishing
every day. To ensure the prolonged service of our limited freshwater sources, a water
management plan is essential.

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 With the increase in the human population, the need for water is also growing. Factors
such as the expansion of agricultural areas, industrial diversity, and unplanned urbanization
contribute to the escalating demand for water. These situations not only create environmental
problems but also lead to a reduction in drinking water sources. To mitigate these risks and
maintain the presence of drinking water under all circumstances, the conservation of existing
resources is crucial, necessitating effective water management (Esen and Alıcı, 2020; Turan
and Bayrakdar, 2020).

Water is not only a vital source for life but also possesses economic, cultural, and societal
dimensions. Although this essential substance for life seems abundant on Earth, there are
limited proportions of it. The increasing global population and the growing demand for water
to sustain vital human needs result in an ever-increasing water demand. This situation
threatens the lifespan of existing water resources. The threat to existing water sources is not
solely due to the human factor but is also jeopardized by human needs. The increasing
population's requirements for housing, nutrition, and all other necessities, including
urbanization, agriculture, and industrial diversity, pose a threat to the current lifespan of water
resources. This situation emphasizes the necessity of creating an effective method in water-
related studies, and this is where water management comes into play (Kılıç, 2008).

Distrubition of Water in the World

The total amount of water on Earth is approximately 1.4 million cubic kilometers (km³).
About 97% of this water is saline, located in the oceans. Only 3% of the remaining water is
freshwater, and merely 1% of that is in a usable condition. More than 90% of freshwater is
underground or found in polar regions. This situation illustrates how limited the availability of
drinkable water is on Earth.

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