Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Context of Water Quality: Balıkesir City Center Case Study

Water is a vital resource for the planet and humanity, and it is indispensable for sustainable development. According to the Sustainable Development Goals, access to water of adequate quantity and quality is a fundamental right for all. However, clean water resources are diminishing day by day due to the climate crisis and increasing pollution. At the same time, pressure on existing water resources continues to intensify. This situation renders the sustainable management of urban water resources increasingly critical. In this context, the primary aim of the article is to assess the water quality and microplastic content of existing sources in the urban center of Balıkesir and to propose strategies for the sustainable management of these resources. Within the scope of the study, water quality was evaluated by measuring physicochemical parameters at seven representative points selected in the drinking water distribution network by Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and the Directorate General of Balıkesir Water and Sewerage Administration (BASKİ), and three types of microplastics were analyzed at six points using the pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py GC/MS) method. Noncompliance was not observed in the samples with respect to the measured physicochemical parameters. Based on similar studies in the literature, the microplastic levels measured in Balıkesir waters were found to be low; however, in order to prevent an increase in concentrations, necessary measures should be taken to reduce plastic use, prevent plastics from reaching water resources, and ensure recycling of existing plastic waste.