The General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) in Turkey, have developed a long-term program to enhance the country’s water basin management through 2023. Their goals include, improving water quality, and gaining current and ongoing information on groundwater and surface water resources.
Plans involve conducting hydrogeological investigations, geological surveys, creating models, and reporting water resource data in all water basins in Turkey. As part of the program, the DSİ established a number of groundwater observation wells at different locations along the boundaries of the water basins. The wells are being used to measure continuous water level and temperature data.
FORAMEC, exclusive distributor of Solinst products in Turkey, supplied groundwater monitoring equipment to multiple water basins for use in 100 observation wells. The first project was the Akarçay Water Basin.
Preparing a Levelogger for Installation in the Akarçay Water Basin
Programming a Levelogger Installed in an Observation Well
Thirty observation wells in Akarçay have been equipped with Leveloggers to record groundwater level and temperature data, every twelve hours. Accompanying Barologgers are installed in six locations in the basin to provide data for barometric compensation. The Leveloggers are deployed on Direct Read Cables, so data can be periodically downloaded without removing them from the well.
Beach on Burdur Lake, Turkey
The Burdur Water Basin, a neighbouring basin of Akarçay, was FORAMEC’s next project. The Burdur Water Basin is known as the Region of Lakes. There are lakes of many sizes in this area, including Burdur Lake, which is the seventh largest in Turkey. Burdur Lake has excellent beaches, giving it potential as a tourist destination. The DSİ has great interest in protecting Lake Burdur.
Installing a Levelogger at an Observation Well in the Burdur Water Basin
Burdur Water Basin was provided thirty Leveloggers for installation in the observation wells. For this project, two DataGrabber USB data transfer devices are being used to download the water level and temperature data in the field. A Model 101 Water Level Meter is being used to take periodic, manual depth to water measurements.
Last Levelogger Installation Complete in Burdur Water Basin, Turkey
The most recent project for FORAMEC, was the Ergene Water Basin. Many industrial facilities are located around the Ergene Water Basin. As such, the DSİ established a number of groundwater observation wells to monitor the quantity and quality of water resources in the Ergene Water Basin. Forty observation wells in the Ergene Water Basin have been equipped with Leveloggers. DataGrabber devices are also being utilized in this region.
Installing a Levelogger on a Direct Read Cable in an Observation Well in Ergene
Installations Complete in the Ergene Water Basin, Turkey
It’s great to see the major steps that Turkey is taking towards improved water basin management. Their efforts will go a long way in ensuring sustainability of their groundwater and surface water resources.
Solinst thanks Uğur Gökhan Top of FORAMEC for providing the details of these projects.
