RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANS (RBMPS)

Türkiye is not rich in water resources and it is expected to be among the water-stressed countries in the near future. Most of the territory of Türkiye is situated in a semi-arid region, and the pluvial period is limited to five to six months a year. Only some areas, such as the coastal areas of the Black Sea, receive sufficient precipitation. Effective management of water resources, especially water quality, is of great importance in Türkiye. In line with global and regional developments, water quality is affected by increasing population, agricultural activities, rapid urbanization, and the current and future water needs. Deterioration in water quality affects ecology as well as the other water uses such as the drinking water sector, agriculture, industry, and tourism.

Basin-scale integrated water resources management is the worldwide approach used to ensure the protection of water resources and sustainable use thereof. Basin-scale integrated management, which is also the basic principle of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD), requires the preparation of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs), considering a sustainable balance of protection and exploitation for water resources. These are plans that set out the environmental objectives for all the water bodies within the River Basin District and how they will be achieved. The plans will be based upon a detailed analysis of the pressures on the water bodies and an assessment of their impacts. The plans must be reviewed and updated every six years.

In recent years Türkiye has taken major steps in the management of 25 river basins as per the Water Framework Directive. To date, River Basin Management Plans have been successfully completed in 11 basins (Akarçay, Batı Akdeniz, Burdur, Büyük Menderes, Gediz, Konya Kapalı, Kuzey Ege, Küçük Menderes, Meriç-Ergene, Susurluk and Yeşilırmak). River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for Sakarya Basin is being prepared. Within the scope of the "Technical Assistance Project on Preparation of River Basin Management Plans for Six Basins", River Basin Management Plans will be prepared for Antalya, Batı Karadeniz, Doğu Akdeniz, Doğu Karadeniz, Kızılırmak and Marmara Basins.

For detailed information regarding the completed River Basin Management Plans in Türkiye, click here.