Assessing the Crop-Based Pricing of Treated Wastewater in Agriculture

Authors : Lütfü Güngör, Mithat Direk
Pages : 75-86
Doi:10.51803/yssr.1680542
View : 129 | Download : 148
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Water is a vital natural asset for life that cannot be replaced by anything else. Its association with nutrients is one of its main characteristics. Water resources have been depleting due to unhealthy urbanization, population growth, increase in greenhouse gases and industrialization. The balance between supply and demand is deteriorating day by day and water scarcity reveals the necessity of alternative water resources. Therefore, in addition to the proper use of clean water resources, wastewater management is also important. This study includes the management and evaluation of wastewater of Konya central districts. For this purpose, the neighbourhoods (Karatay, Meram, Selçuklu Districts) within the impact area of Konya Wastewater Treatment Plants where the wastewater generated in Konya Province Centre is treated are the target group. Data obtained from farmers who live in these neighbourhoods and irrigate their lands with the water from the treatment plant were used. Thus, wastewater price was calculated based on the value of agricultural products. In the calculations, wastewater pricing was made based on barley, wheat and sunflower products commonly grown in the region by which the treated wastewater price was determined. Accordingly, the wastewater cost was calculated as 0.18 USD/ton for barley production, 0.28 USD/ton for wheat production and 0.21 USD/ton for sunflower production. Pricing and determining the economic value of water will ensure the balancing of supply and demand, and the efficient use or exploitation of scarce water and natural resources. When it comes to water prices in the classical sense, calculations are generally made on the basis of operation, maintenance, and repair costs both worldwide and in Türkiye. However, this situation leads to not only the use of water, which is a natural asset, at a high price but also causes uncontrolled use of natural resources. Calculations based on product value will ensure more efficient use of water.
Keywords : Atık su kullanımı, Atık su yönetimi, Atık suyun ekonomik değeri, Konya’da atık su

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