Starting January… Turkey to Require Housing Complexes and Malls to Produce Their Own Water

Turkey’s Ministry of Environment and Urbanization has announced that all large buildings, housing complexes, shopping malls, and hotels will be required to produce their own water starting January 1, 2026.

This will be done by installing rainwater collection systems and greywater recycling systems.

The ministry said the move is aimed at tackling the growing water crisis, as part of a series of government measures to improve water efficiency and reduce waste, especially with climate change and rising demand for water.

The new law focuses on using water more efficiently through modern collection and treatment systems, which will help reduce dependence on groundwater and limit water waste.

Required Water Systems in Buildings

The new regulations focus on two main systems:

1. Rainwater collection:
Water tanks will be installed on building rooftops to collect and store rainwater. This water can later be used for things like watering gardens, cleaning walkways, or flushing toilets.

2. Greywater reuse:
This includes water from washing clothes, showering, or washing dishes. After being safely treated, it can be reused for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation and cleaning.

Officials say these systems will become part of the design of new buildings, while existing buildings will be required to make upgrades to meet the new standards.

Buildings Covered by the Law

The law mainly targets large buildings with high water usage, including:

• Hotels and major tourist facilities

• Large residential complexes

• Shopping malls and office buildings

• New or renovated government buildings

More detailed requirements for each type of building are expected to be announced later in the law’s executive regulations, including building size, number of floors, and number of housing units or offices.