İSKİ: 'Sound infrastructure is the assurance of water'

The conversation titled "Water City: A Climate Resilient Future" held at the COP31 Green Area was conducted by ITU Faculty Member and İSKİ Board Member Prof. Dr. Directed by Seval Sözen. During the interview, Istanbul's water security, flood risks due to climate change, earthquake preparations and sustainable water management were discussed.

İSKİ General Manager Şafak Başa said that they have made significant investments to strengthen Istanbul's water infrastructure against a possible major earthquake. Stating that they built an earthquake-resistant 21-kilometer water tunnel, Başa noted that the water storage capacity was also increased.

Emphasizing that they have invested 130 billion liras in drinking water infrastructure, Başa drew attention to the importance of solid infrastructure in terms of water security. Stating that there are maps and road maps showing what kind of damage may occur in which parts of Istanbul in a major earthquake, Başa said that they have made the water infrastructure more flexible and durable.

RAINWATER TUNNELS INCREASED TO 16 KILOMETERS

Pointing out that there is no comprehensive legal regulation regarding floods in Turkey, Başa emphasized the importance of rainwater management and stream rehabilitation works. Stating that they increased the length of the rainwater tunnel in Istanbul, which was previously 700 meters, to 16 kilometers, Başa stated that they encountered problems related to zoning in the stream improvement works.

Başa stated that work to strengthen the dams is also on their agenda and that they aim to increase the urban resilience of Istanbul.

“ISTANBUL IS GROWING BEYOND PLANNED”

İSKİ Deputy General Manager Bülent Solmaz stated that Istanbul has taken important steps towards becoming a resilient city, but the growth potential of the city is constantly increasing. Pointing out that Istanbul grows unforeseen in plans from time to time, Solmaz stated that this situation brings with it new needs in terms of infrastructure and water management.

WATER LOSS DECREASED TO 18.5 PERCENT

İsmail Aydın, Head of İSKİ Water Pressure Management Department, talked about the work carried out to combat water losses in Istanbul. Stating that the water loss rate was reduced from 22 percent to 18.5 percent, Aydın said that organizational structuring and effective pressure management played an important role in this success.

Emphasizing that reducing water losses does not only mean saving water, Aydin stated that thanks to these studies, energy consumption and carbon emissions are also reduced. Aydin noted that combating water losses directly coincides with the climate and sustainability goals of COP31.

“A POLITICAL VIEW ON CLIMATE CHANGE IS REQUIRED”

İSKİ R&D Branch Manager Dr. Tunay Çapar pointed out that climatic conditions have changed and the effects of this change on floods. Stating that the floods cannot be evaluated independently of climate change, Çapar said that the implementation of legal regulations regarding water management and floods will contribute to the solution of the problems.

Çapar emphasized that an apolitical approach should be adopted based on scientific data, beyond political debates on climate change and water management.