Today, managing water pollution is crucial for protecting water resources and ensuring sufficient and clean water for future generations.

Water consumption is unavoidable in nearly all industrial operations. The need for water in industries, both for processes and for human consumption, is increasing daily. Wastewater generated from domestic or industrial use is typically discharged into receiving environments (such as lakes, rivers, streams) or into sewers. In Turkey, factors affecting water pollution include industrialization, urbanization, population growth, agricultural pesticides, and chemical fertilizers. Liquid waste from industries directly or indirectly impacts water pollution.

The negative effects of irresponsible use of industry and water resources on the environment are evident in the quality of life for all living beings. This situation affects human life both directly and indirectly. Therefore, controlling water pollution in establishments with industrial, urban, population, agricultural, or chemical sources through various laws and regulations contributes to enhancing environmental and human health.

In this context, the current regulation in force is the “Water Pollution Control Regulation (SKKY)” published in the Official Gazette No. 25687 on December 31, 2004. The purpose of this regulation is to establish the legal and technical principles necessary to prevent water pollution in line with sustainable development goals, to protect and optimally use the country’s groundwater and surface water resources. This regulation covers water environment quality classifications and usage purposes, planning principles and prohibitions for water quality protection, wastewater discharge principles and permit requirements, principles related to wastewater infrastructure facilities, and monitoring and inspection procedures for preventing water pollution.

In addition to this regulation, notifications such as “Sampling and Analysis Methods Notification for Water Pollution Control Regulation,” “Administrative Procedures Notification for Water Pollution Control Regulation,” and “Technical Procedures Notification for Wastewater Treatment Facilities” have been issued to inform stakeholders of their obligations.

Furthermore, for the collection, treatment, and control of urban wastewater, the “Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulation (KAAY)” was published in the Official Gazette No. 26047 on January 8, 2006, and is implemented accordingly. This regulation covers the technical and administrative principles for the collection, treatment, discharge, monitoring, reporting, and inspection of urban and certain industrial wastewater discharged into sewer systems.

At Testmer, we provide services with experienced teams for the detection, control, and monitoring of water pollution across all sectors, including official and private request analyses. We are among the leading laboratories in the sector for analyses conducted under SKKY and KAAY, serving through the Central Laboratory Determination System (MELBES).