Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, cilt.10, sa.2, 2025 (ESCI)
This study examines the drivers of drinking water scarcity in Eskisehir, Turkey, including climate change, urbanization, population growth and water consumption. It examines long-term data to assess how vulnerable the city is to global warming, particularly in relation to its main water supply, Porsuk Dam Lake. The research employs a modified normalized difference water index, leveraging satellite imagery bands (such as green and near-infrared) to detect Porsuk Dam Lake’s water body and measure changes in its surface area over time. The analysis considers two scenarios: one based on current conditions and another incorporating potential improvements in water management. The results indicate that, under the present scenario, Eskişehir could face a water scarcity crisis by 2036 due to a significant decline in water availability, driven by substantial reductions in Porsuk Dam Lake’s volume, coupled with increasing demand. However, if measures such as reducing water consumption, minimizing losses, improving irrigation efficiency, and implementing wastewater recycling are adopted, the crisis could be delayed until 2052. These findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies to address the combined pressures of environmental changes and urban development in Eskişehir, offering insights into how proactive interventions by municipalities, water authorities, and urban planners could extend the city’s water security.