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Türkiye’s latest environmental indicators reveal sustained increases in both water extraction and wastewater discharge, reflecting heightened pressure from industrial operations and thermal energy production, according to newly released figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).
Total water withdrawal increased to 20.3 billion cubic meters in 2024, up from 19.2 billion cubic meters in 2022.
TurkStat’s breakdown shows:
These figures underscore the dominant impact of thermal energy production on national water usage trends.
Wastewater discharge reached 17.2 billion cubic meters, with the majority released into natural bodies:
Cooling water again formed the bulk of total wastewater volumes:
Thermal power plants accounted for 50.2% of all wastewater discharged nationwide
Excluding cooling water, 78.3% of wastewater was treated before release, a level indicating continued compliance with Türkiye’s national standards and EU-aligned requirements.
Municipal wastewater systems maintained extensive coverage, reaching 98.8% of urban residents.
Municipal consumption figures reported:
Among major cities, Istanbul recorded the highest per capita wastewater discharge, a reflection of its dense population and concentrated industrial load.
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