Turkey implements major wastewater infrastructure upgrades to combat pollution

Turkey is addressing significant water pollution and infrastructure challenges in the İzmir and Istanbul regions. In İzmir, officials have warned of an ‘ecological crisis’ in the İzmir Gulf caused by industrial waste from the Gediz River basin. Satellite imagery and field tests have identified high organic loads and the presence of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and aluminum, attributed to approximately 250 factories discharging waste into the river.

To combat this, İZSU is investing 976 million TL to modernize the Çiğli Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project aims to increase pre-treatment capacity and double sludge dewatering capacity to better manage rising population loads.

In Istanbul, İSKİ is working to ensure all wastewater discharged into the Marmara Sea undergoes advanced biological treatment. This involves phasing out the Küçükçekmece Pre-treatment Plant and redirecting its load to the Ambarlı and Ataköy facilities. The goal is to expand the Ambarlı plant to a 1 million cubic meter capacity, potentially making it one of the largest treatment facilities in Europe.