SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

Water scarcity affects more than 40% of people worldwide. Due to global warming as a result of climate change, this rate is certainly expected to increase even more. Since 1990, 2.1 billion people have been provided with better water and sanitary conditions, but the decline in safe drinking water resources is a major problem affecting all continents. In 2011, 41 countries experienced water shortages. In ten of these countries, renewable clean water resources will soon be depleted and the need to use alternative sources will arise. These trends are getting worse due to increased drought and desertification. By 2050, it is estimated that at least one in four people will be affected by frequent water shortages.

WHAT WE DO?

Our Department of Chemistry extensively researches on matters related to clean water and sanitation. For information on the past and current projects, please visit the Department webpage.

In the Horizon 2020 Project titled “Integrated mineral technologies for more sustainable raw material supply (ITERAMS)” members of our Department of Mining Engineering (under the Hacettepe Mineral Technologies LTD. of Hacettepe Technopolis) aim to develop a proof of concept at mine sites to recycle water and valorize tailings for an improved environmental and economic result, to enable future sustainable mineral supply in Europe and globally. The project partners are multidisciplinary innovative SMEs, large mining companies, universities and research centers from 8 countries mainly from Europe.