Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer He examined the works carried out within the scope of the Sponge City Izmir Project, which was initiated against the drought that turned into a serious threat on March 22, World Water Day. Stating that the water obtained by rain water harvesting has started to be used in the Gaziemir Fire Department building, which is determined as the pilot area, Mayor Soyer said, “Even collecting rain water from the roofs provides a very serious savings. "If we don't take action today, it may be too late tomorrow." With the project, 220 tons of water will be saved annually in only one facility.
The Sponge City Izmir Project, implemented by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality to combat drought and poverty, is growing step by step. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer, inspected the rainwater harvesting activities initiated within the scope of the project prepared with the vision of “Another Water Management is Possible” on site due to the 22 March World Water Day. Mayor, who visited Gaziemir campus of the Fire Brigade Department, which was selected as a pilot region within the municipality. Tunç Soyerdrew attention to the global climate crisis.
“We need the abandonment of wild irrigation”
Speaking at the program attended by Gaziemir Mayor Halil Arda, Mayor Soyer said, “This picture that we call the global climate crisis and that none of us can stay out of anymore leaves us alone with the new disasters of nature. Drought has started to become a serious problem not only for İzmir, Turkey but also for the whole world. Drought is one of the most tangible consequences of global warming all over the world. We also need to use our water resources more accurately, to store rainwater, to choose the right product pattern to be used in agricultural production, and to abandon wild irrigation very quickly," he said.
“The price the drought will make us pay is very heavy”
President Soyer, who called on citizens to save water on March 22, World Water Day, said, “If we do not make up our minds, if we do not take action as soon as possible, the price that the drought will make us pay is very heavy. We have taken this very lightly until now. We chose wrong product patterns in agricultural production. 77% of the water is used in agricultural production. 10% is used in industry and 10% in domestic consumption. Therefore, first of all, we have to discover more rational water use methods in agriculture.”
“Tomorrow will be too late”
Stating that 5 tons of water is saved per year by storing only the water accumulated on the roof of the building in a 220-ton water tank in Gaziemir, Mayor Soyer said, “It will be a system that will pay for itself in two or three years. I recommend this to all Izmir. Even collecting rainwater from the roofs provides significant savings. It is possible to use this water both in sinks, in the kitchen and in cleaning. Many more methods can be developed. Many more solutions can be produced, but we need to start looking at life from this perspective as soon as possible. "If we don't do it now, it's too late tomorrow."
Drinking water standards
The rain water harvested from the roof of the fire station in Gaziemir, where a total of 24 people work in three shifts a day, was collected in the established rain water tank. Then, the rain water treated by the treatment unit was brought to drinking water standards. Treated rain water has been used in the kitchen, toilet and showers in the fire station.
It will also be used for fighting fires.
Rainwater harvested from the roof of the fire brigade car park will also be evaluated. The water stored in the fire pool will be used to respond to fires. With the project, an annual saving of 7 thousand lira will be achieved.