Global water resources are limited

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Engineering faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şifa Doğan reminded that most of the world is covered with water but the amount of drinkable and utility water constitutes approximately 5% of water resources.

Speaking within the scope of World Water Day, Doğan pointed out that fresh water resources are not evenly distributed in the world when looked at on a global scale, and factors such as climate, characteristics of surface and underground formations lie at the core of these inconsistencies in clean water distribution.

Doğan pointed out that not every individual in the world has sufficient access to clean water, and therefore noted that water treatment methods and water supply projects are of vital importance in order to make the water consumed and defined as waste recyclable.

Stating that countries rich in water resources also have responsibilities to protect these resources and ensure their sustainability, Doğan said, "According to the United Nations (UN) World Water Development Report (WWDR, 2019), half of the world's population will be under the threat of serious water shortage by 2030." 

Doğan stated UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrology VIII. and IX. programs include changes in the water cycle, excessive rainfall and floods. He also pointed out that the location of groundwater in the changing environment reveals the water scarcity and changes in water quality brought about by overuse along with population growth. He added that studies like these are an indicator of the significance of population and infrastructure planning.

Providing information in the context of Cyprus, Doğan said, “When we consider this issue from the standpoint of  Cyprus, we see that limited underground water resources are used for drinking and  utility water.

We are provided the information that the need for 38 million cubic meters of drinking and utility water supplied from Turkey within the framework of the Water Supply Project was initially expected to be realized by 2050, however, this total has already been met. Since the population and other variables taken into account constitute the assumption of this study, it will be useful to constantly evaluate the process.

Doğan stated that under these conditions, wastewater is important for the country as an alternative water resource, and that it is essential for each individual or industrial activity to fulfill its responsibility regarding water consumption.