The deterioration of the natural composition of water resources is called water pollution due to the fact that the substances in the natural composition of water resources (streams, groundwater, lake, sea ...) rise above the ideal concentration values as a result of human activities.5 Water resources necessary for the life of living things, economic development and the environment.This important natural resource most affected by environmental pollution and the most vulnerable in terms of environmental pollution. The quality of water to be drunk safely by people should contain sufficient O2 and necessary minerals and should be clear.6 Considering that one liter of wastewater pollutes eight liters of clean water7 and makes it unusable, it is better understood to what extent the natural cycle of water resources is in danger. Considering that the number of healthy and deprived people of water today is approximately 1.4 billion,8 it is better understood how important the issue is.Pollution of rivers, lakes, groundwater and seas is mostly caused by human activities and consequently, the natural balance of ecosystems deteriorates. “The main pollutants encountered in water are acids and alkalis, detergents, household wastes and fertilizers, food industry wastes, various gases, heat, various metals, nutrients, oils and dispersants, organic toxic wastes, pathogens and pesticides”.9 Water pollution does not only stay in water, it passes to the soil and from the soil to plants, vegetables and fruits through irrigation, and these harmful wastes also pass to the animals that drink from these polluted water and the sustainability of food resources is negatively affected. “Use of poor quality water; diseases caused by water on living things; low productivity in agricultural activities; the reduction of biodiversity in the aquatic habitat; deaths and increases in drinking and utility water treatment costs ”.10
Water pollution, in addition to causing a decrease in usage and drinking water, threatens the lives of all living creatures in the water, and the biological diversity in the ocean, sea, lake and aquatic environments is damaged by the pollution of water. Water resources are also chemically contaminated by industrialization, pesticides used in agriculture, chemicals used unconsciously in agriculture and industry. Agricultural leaks, disinfection practices, faulty industrial practices, leachate from underground storage tanks, mining activities, waste of chemicals and corrosive waters are the most important chemical pollutants.11 Water contaminated with chemical pollutants is transported to different places through the hydrological cycle, threatening our ecological balance and health. The healthy water drunk and used should be colorless, odorless and taste water; its chemical content should contain some basic elements needed by the body such as calcium, magnesium, sodium; they should not contain nitrite, nitrate, organic matter, chemicals, heavy metals and disease-causing microorganisms. Some of the factors that will have a pollutant effect on surface waters can be listed as follows: disease-causing organisms, organic pollutants, industrial wastes, synthetic detergents, radioactivity, pesticides, chemical pollutants, inorganic salts, artificial and natural agricultural fertilizers, waste heat. Some of the pollution in water resources can be understood by appearance. But taste, smell, pollution caused by microorganisms, heavy metals, nitrates, radon and many chemicals can only be understood by laboratory tests. For this reason, analysis of potable water should be done regularly.
Correct perception of water consumption and usage are the key factors that affect water-use behavior. The majority of the population has misconceptions on water consumption, thus leading to water wastage in households.Some measures to prevent water waste can be listed as follows; as it causes serious water loss, drip taps should be repaired, water-saving equipment should be used, instead of washing vegetables and fruits under a stream, they should be washed in a bowl, the dishes should be washed in the dishwasher, the hot water pipes should be covered with insulating material, the thermostat setting of the hot water system should not be too high, the washing machine should be operated when it is completely full, a shower head with adjustable flow rate should be used while taking a bath, a shower head that uses water efficiently while taking a shower, cool hours of the day should be chosen for watering the garden and flowers, care should be taken to grow plants that do not require much water in the garden, choose plants suitable for the climate of your location, rain large water tanks should be used to collect water.The factors to be taken into consideration in order to use irrigation water more effectively in agriculture are given below.One of the methods of sprinkler and drip irrigation should be chosen in all areas where climate, soil and topography conditions are favorable.The limited use of water needs to be widespread.
Irrigation should be done during the periods when the plant needs the most water, other than this, limited irrigation should be done, or irrigation should be stopped completely and larger areas should be irrigated with the water saved here.Methods that will keep the soil moisture should be used in agriculture. The continuous use of commercial fertilizers in agricultural production disrupts the soil structure and reduces the water holding capacity of the soil. Green manure and the use of animal manure increase the water holding capacity of the soil. Since tillage causes moisture loss, agriculture without tillage should be preferred by using a direct sowing drill.It should be ensured that plant varieties resistant to drought and salinity are developed.In order to meet the water needs of the increasing population sufficiently, water basins should not be occupied with settlements and industrial facilities, water resources should not be polluted, clean water resources and pastures and forests that serve as natural dams should be increased rather than reduced.
Today, unfortunately, many societies are faced with water scarcity and with the expected population growth, the number of people experiencing water scarcity will gradually increase. In this case, the only and consistent way to continue to provide water supply and to protect existing resources is to recover and reuse wastewater.
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