31.10.2026 17:10
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı said that the amount of usable water per capita in Turkey has dropped to 1,297 cubic meters and that the country is now under water stress. Noting that if Lake Sapanca deteriorates, Kocaeli and Sakarya will be left without water, Yumaklı explained that approximately 72 million cubic meters of water were lost in the lake in 2025, and that with an investment of 25.5 billion liras over 5 years, the aim is to gain 114 million cubic meters of water per year.
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, stating that the drying up of Lake Sapanca would adversely affect the regional economy, said, "Lake Sapanca is extremely important for both drinking and utility water, and it also has protected area status. However, we have to speak openly and clearly. If Lake Sapanca deteriorates further from its current condition, Kocaeli will run dry—I am talking about water shortage. It will run dry, that is. Sakarya will run dry," he said.
TURKEY HAS FALLEN BELOW THE WATER STRESS THRESHOLD
The 'Lake Sapanca Action Plan Meeting' held in Sakarya took place at the Adapazarı Cultural Center. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş, Sakarya Governor Rahmi Doğan, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Yusuf Alemdar, AK Party provincial and district officials, and officials from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry attended the program. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Yumaklı stated that only 2.5 percent of the world has freshwater resources, and said, "We can use only 1 percent of that. In other words, we do not have an endless resource. Even though more than half of the world's population lives in cities and towns, according to today's forecasts, from the publications and research, the information we have is this: 2.2 billion people in the world have a problem accessing clean water. The amount of usable water per capita in Turkey was 1,313 cubic meters. However, we stated this and said, 'If we fall below 1,300 cubic meters, we are a country under water stress.' As of today, according to calculations, the amount of usable water per capita in our country is 1,297 cubic meters. Our country is now a country under water stress. Changing climate conditions have many effects on us. We have now begun to experience so many things in our lives, from irregularities in precipitation regimes to droughts, floods, and overflows. Water is at the center of all of them. Our main issue is no longer whether water will decrease. Where, how much, and at what level of cleanliness and purity will we be able to find water? This has become the main issue. We do not see water as a resource to be managed. I want to state this again. For us, water is a strategic axis that directs all sectors," he said.
WATER SHORTAGE WARNING FOR KOCAELI AND SAKARYA
Yumaklı, who said that they had placed the issue of protecting the lake ecosystem and ensuring its sustainable management on the agenda of the National Water Board, said, "As a Board decision, we first prepared our action plans for our lakes Eğirdir, Beyşehir, Akşehir, Eber, Bafa, Burdur, İznik, Seyfe, and Sapanca. With the contributions of municipalities, universities, non-governmental organizations, and relevant institutions, we strengthened our work. Of these plans, we had shared the Eğirdir and Burdur lake action plans with the public. Today, we prepared the Lake Sapanca action plan for our Lake Sapanca, which gives life to this region, and, God willing, we had already partially begun implementation, but we will continue to reflect this to the public as well. Lake Sapanca is extremely important for both drinking and utility water, and it also has protected area status. However, we have to speak openly and clearly. If Lake Sapanca deteriorates further from its current condition, Kocaeli will run dry—I am talking about water shortage. It will run dry, that is. Sakarya will run dry. This very important industrial region can no longer fulfill its function. It will no longer be able to make the necessary contribution to Turkey's economy," he stated.
A 4-DEGREE TEMPERATURE INCREASE IS PROJECTED IN THE BASIN
Drawing attention to the fact that precipitation outside or the rise in Lake Sapanca's level due to recent rainfall is misleading, Minister Yumaklı spoke as follows:
"I want to talk about forecasts. In the coming period, the temperature increase in this region and this basin is projected to be 4 degrees. This is a terrible thing. And total annual precipitation is projected to decrease by 5 percent. These are good estimates. In other words, these data are of great importance for us to make use of the value we have. What happened when usage combined with the effect of climate change? In 2025, there was a water decrease of approximately 72 million cubic meters in Lake Sapanca. Twenty-two percent of this amount occurred through evaporation. Lake management in the context of water-food ecosystem connectivity, ensuring water security and efficiency, and establishing a data-based, artificial intelligence-supported decision mechanism. Of course, I am saying these as headings, but there are 6 main actions and 12 measures based on these strategies. We made an investment plan for these measures, we made investment planning. Within 5 years, an investment of approximately 25.5 billion liras will be made solely to implement the matters within this action. We plan to bring approximately 114 million cubic meters of water to our basin per year. Therefore, our water security plan continues in the same way. Of course, withdrawal from the source is very important."