In recent years, severe droughts caused by global warming have been experienced in many places of the world. These droughts also affect the water resources. Because, many studies have been done for the sustainability of water use in the literature. Water footprint (WF) analysis is also a new concept that has been added to the literature. Water footprint concept for a region or any product, indicates the amount of water used or contaminated in the production stages. The aim of this article is to plan the water use by making detailed WF analysis in Sanliurfa where is effective drought and which is an important agricultural centers in Turkey. For this purpose, green and blue water footprints for 45 agricultural products growing in the work area were analyzed by using the areal rainfall averages of 11 years between 2009 and 2019. In addition, the average total WF value of the region was found as 8.01 billion m3/year by making WF analysis for livestock, industrial and domestic water use in the work area. It was understood that, 91% of underground and surface water resources in the province are used in the cultivation of agricultural products. It was determined that, 64% of the available freshwater is met from blue water resources, and this rate reaches up to 66% in the dry season. For more rational planning, the virtual water contents of important agricultural products were also calculated and compared with the economic value of these products. This study which is among the first WF analysis in Turkey is necessary for planning water resources and adaptation to climate change.
Batan, M
Planning the use of water in Sanliurfa province, which struggles with drought: Water footprint analysis
Journal Of The Faculty Of Engineering And Architecture Of Gazi University