Assessment of Water Resources Status Using the Water Footprint Concept: The Case of Tekirdağ Province

One of the fundamental steps in the protection and sustainability of water resources is monitoring and evaluation. By assessing the resources in terms of both quality and quantity, a clear depiction of the current situation can be established, which will form a solid inventory for the necessary actions. From the perspective of our country, the main issues concerning our water resources include the reduction in water quantity during periods of need due to excessive and uncontrolled use, the uncontrolled increase in pollution due to negligence linked to sectoral developments, and globally, the expected intense impact of climate change on the Mediterranean Basin, where we are located. The concept of the water footprint is one of the accepted methods for diagnosing the current state of water resources in terms of management planning and sustainability. The water footprint concept can effectively reveal how agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses impact water resources. In the present study, the agricultural water footprint of Tekirdağ, one of the most economically powerful provinces in the Thrace Region in terms of agriculture and industry, has been calculated and evaluated. Agriculture water footprint was found to be 1.33 billion cubic meters (BCM) in total, 0.61 BCM in crop production and 0.72 BCM in animal production. The green, blue and grey water footprint values for crop production were calculated as 0.11, 0.48 and 0.02 BCM, respectively. The results underscore the significant water demand of agricultural activities in Tekirdağ, highlighting the need for sustainable water management strategies to address resource utilization in crop and animal production.