The role of State Hydraulic Works in the possible effect of climate change on water resources

Purpose: The decrease in water resources is an issue that concerns the whole world. Considering the usable water potential per capita, Türkiye is among the countries experiencing water stress. Therefore, water must be used economically and optimally. Within the framework of sustainable water use, effective use of water should be ensured in harmony with the environment, without wasting even a single drop of water. In the face of global climate change, non-substitutable water resources must be used and protected in a way that can meet today's and future needs for the preservation of ecological balance, the sustainable development of human life and the survival of all living things. Therefore, when the impact of climate change on water resources is taken into consideration, the status of existing water resources, sustainable water use, effects of drought, protection, management, planning of water resources, implementation of new methods and policies should be evaluated. In this research, Aydın DSI 21st Regional Directorate, DSI 211th Branch Directorate affiliated to the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, which carries out studies as a leading organization in the protection, development and management of water resources in the Aydın, Denizli and Muğla provinces of the Aegean region, which were selected as the study region. Face-to-face interviews were held with the managers and technical staff of DSI 212th Branch Directorate Denizli and DSI 213th Branch Directorate Muğla. In these meetings, examinations and evaluations were made regarding the role of the State Hydraulic Works as the authorized institution in the possible effects of climate change, which is currently being experienced in Turkey, on water resources. Materials and Methods: In the research, qualitative method was used and, as per the method, face-to-face interviews were held with a total of 44 people selected from among the managers and technical personnel of the institution in question. In these interviews, in addition to demographic questions, people are asked one-on-one open-ended and semi-structured questions, including main topics such as the adequacy of existing water resources, precautions that can be taken against the negative effects of climate change or irregularity on water resources, protection, planning and management of water resources, and the adoption of new policies. Prepared in-depth interview questions were asked. The data obtained was collected under themes and evaluated with content analysis. Findings: As a result of the analysis of the data obtained from the interviews in accordance with the research method, it was understood that there was a change in the climate in all three provinces where the research was conducted, and when the reasons for this change and the current state of water resources were considered, a common point was reached. It was decided to code this common point under the names "Climate Change - Cause", "Protection of Water Resources" and "Policy". These codes were integrated with previous academic research. As a result of the interviews in the research, it was understood that climate change has very serious effects, creating a domino effect on water resources in the three provinces subject to the research, as it does all over the world. With the current climate change, rainfall decreases, drought increases, therefore the demand for water increases, underground water levels decrease, fires increase, forest areas decrease, the rainfall regime and amount of rainfall decreases with the decrease in forest areas, floods, overflows and flood events due to depression. It has been determined that Aydın, Denizli and Muğla provinces in the Aegean Region are cities suffering from water stress. Conclusion: DSI appears as an authorized and implementing unit in the measures to be taken to protect water resources against climate change. For this reason, DSI has to make water manageable in terms of both protecting and storing it and carry out activities that will try to reduce the stress on water. The most important of these activities is to complete the necessary storage facilities to ensure water management and ensure planned water distribution. DSI needs to continue its planned investments not only in adaptation to climate change, but also to utilize water in a way that is beneficial to the country's economy and to use it in agriculture. Key Words: DSI, Ecological balance, Climate change, Water resources, Sustainability