523 Thousand Decares of Land in Kars to Be Irrigated with Treated Water
· Google Haberler
The physical realization in the Kars Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant project, under construction by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), has reached 53%. The project, slated for completion in 2027, will clean the Kars River and provide high-quality irrigation water to over half a million decares of agricultural land.
Irrigation Revolution in Kars Agriculture
A major infrastructure investment by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) General Directorate in Kars is initiating a historic transformation for the region's agriculture. The Kars Wastewater Collection and Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant project, under construction in the Dereiçi location approximately 2.5 kilometers from the city center, is targeted for completion within 2027. Once operational, the facility will significantly improve the water quality of the Kars River and provide high-quality irrigation water to a total of 523,060 decares of fertile agricultural land.
Halfway Through Construction Work
Work is proceeding uninterrupted at the facility, which is being built on a vast area of 54,400 square meters. DSİ General Manager Mehmet Akif Balta announced that the physical realization rate of the project has reached 53%, with a significant portion of the reinforced concrete works completed. In line with the planning, reinforced concrete works for the blower building, transformer and generator building, administrative building, bio-phosphorus pool, and aeration pool have been fully completed, successfully passing critical stages of the project.
Technical Details of the Advanced Treatment Plant
The massive facility, implemented with a modern water management approach, has been meticulously planned considering Kars's population projections for 2054. Upon completion, the plant will have a daily wastewater treatment capacity of 50,000 cubic meters, handling the region's waste load. According to information provided by DSİ General Manager Mehmet Akif Balta, construction work on the sludge dewatering building, effluent flow meter chamber, sludge balancing structures, and Q1200 and Q800 collector lines at the construction site is proceeding according to the planned schedule.
Extensive Collector Line Being Constructed
The investment not only encompasses the advanced biological treatment plant but also includes an extensive infrastructure network to ensure the safe conveyance of wastewater to the facility. A total of 17.5 kilometers of a modern collector line is being constructed as part of the project. This long transmission line will direct domestic wastewater from the city center directly to the advanced biological treatment systems, completely preventing uncontrolled water discharge into the environment.
Kars River Completely Freed from Pollution
With the implementation of advanced treatment technology, the environmental pollution pressure caused by domestic wastewater originating from the Kars city center will be permanently eliminated. The return of treated water to nature in a clean state will directly enhance the water quality of the Kars River, which is the main source feeding the Kars Dam. This strategic step will not only solve the city's wastewater problem but also safeguard the biological balance and cleanliness of one of the region's most critical water resources.
Lifeblood for Half a Million Decares of Land
The tangible benefits of the investment on agricultural production will manifest in increased yields in irrigation areas. DSİ General Manager Mehmet Akif Balta reported that upon completion of the treatment plant, 47,280 decares of the currently operational Akyaka Plain Irrigation and 475,780 decares within the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sections of the Kars Dam Irrigation will gain access to quality water. Thus, a total of 523,060 decares of agricultural land will receive much higher quality irrigation water.
Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Future
DSİ General Manager Mehmet Akif Balta wished the project to be beneficial for Kars and emphasized that work is continuing at full speed. The Kars Wastewater Collection and Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant, planned to become operational in 2027, will minimize the city's environmental pollution load. The strengthened sustainable water management through the facility will protect the Kars River while supporting regional farmers in increasing their agricultural productivity and product quality with quality irrigation water.