National Water Plan 2019-2023.

The National Water Plan is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the policy is 5 years between 2019 and 2023. This Plan lays down strategies for the conservation and development of water resources in the areas of water resources management; data management; protection and improvement of water resources in terms of quantity, quality and ecosystems; supply-demand balance and water allocation; water efficiency; socio-economic assessment; information and decision support systems; water security; and water policy.
Safe and clean drinking water services will be developed across all urban and rural populations. Public awareness will be raised on the management, conservation and sustainable use of water resources and their participation to water management related activities will be promoted. The inventory will be created for irrigation cooperatives.
The National Water Information System will be developed and data collection will be strengthened for sustainable management of water resources. The cooperation among the relevant institutions will be strengthened for effective monitoring, control and surveillance. The legal and institutional frameworks will be strengthened to combat water violations/losses more effectively through the enforceable penalties and incentive system. Water related plans will be harmonized by the basin management plans. Cumulative and strategic environmental impact assessment will be conducted for basin-based water management plans. Basin conservation plans will be developed for safe drinking water from surface water resources. Standards will be developed for basin management plans for the protected areas with a special emphasis on the protection of their flora, fauna and ecosystems. Monitoring, sampling and analysis of water resources will be carried out, in terms of both quality and quantity. Effective control of the use of plant protection products will be strengthened to prevent water pollution. Moreover, real-time monitoring stations and early warning systems will be expanded to detect pollution. Efficient operation of urban and industrial wastewater treatment facilities will be ensured, and online monitoring systems and inspection activities will be activated. Discharge standards, which will be determined by considering environmental quality standards in the receiving environment, will be applied. Water quality criteria will be determined for each sector and allocations will be made accordingly. Irrigation systems will be modernized to reduce water loss and irrigation efficiency will be increased with methods such as pressurized irrigation. The use of treated domestic wastewater for irrigation in parks, gardens and green areas will be expanded. Affordable and sustainable financing models will be developed, including a public-private partnership in investment and management of drinking water and sanitation services. Water pricing will be carried out in accordance with socio-economic analysis for each sector.
Water security will be ensured against the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. The resilience of water resources will be increased through the implementation of adaptation and risk management plans and early warning systems. Drought management plans will be completed and implemented in a way that will produce measures, especially for agricultural irrigation in arid periods. The conservation of water resources and flood management will be integrated into school curricula. Rainwater harvesting and groundwater storage will be improved taking into consideration the negative impacts of climate change.