Nestled in the Turkish Lakes Region of southwestern Anatolia, the lake has been under threat from water scarcity driven by climate change and other factors. It was also suffering from wastewater pollution. However, through a collaborative effort involving the European Union (EU), EIB Global (the European Investment Bank’s international development arm), İLBANK, and Burdur Municipality, these challenges are finally being addressed.

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

“If Lake Burdur had a voice, I believe it would express its satisfaction,” says Sezen Işlak, an Environmental Engineer at Burdur Municipality

As stated by Ali Orkun Ercengiz, Mayor of Burdur, “Before the plant’s construction, the wastewater treatment efficiency of the existing facilities surrounding the lake was around 55%, meaning much of the water returned to the lake still carried pollutants. With the new facility in place, this figure has surged to 95%.” It marks a major leap towards the preservation of Lake Burdur’s ecosystem.

The new biological wastewater treatment plant replaced an outdated system that only covered aeration and sedimentation. In addition to treating microorganisms much more effectively, the modernisation included an odour removal unit. It was a significant improvement for local residents and protected the health and safety of the workers.

Seher Ozkan, who lives in a nearby neighbourhood, highlights this change: “We had been suffering from odour and insects. We couldn’t even open our windows during the hot summers. Since the new plant was completed, we are a lot more comfortable now, free from both the smell and flies.”

More than a treatment plant: a commitment to sustainability

Beyond cleaning the lake’s waters, the plant does something remarkable: it treats activated sludge to produce energy, putting sustainability in action. Transforming this otherwise forgotten resource into power is a significant step toward reducing the province’s environmental footprint and gain in energy resilience.

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

Construction of Burdur Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant project is part of a larger EU-backed initiative to support municipal finance in Türkiye. EU-supported water infrastructure projects in Burdur, Bursa, Yalova and Yozgat treat wastewater equivalent to 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools and safely return it to the environment

This project is part of a larger EU-backed initiative to support municipal finance in Türkiye. These efforts are helping municipalities comply with national environmental laws, ensuring access to safe drinking water and effective waste management for future generations.

The Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, says: “This project represents a significant and important step toward addressing the challenges of Lake Burdur. The journey toward a cleaner, more sustainable Lake Burdur is a compelling example of how the EU, its Bank, EIB Global, local government, and modern technology can collaborate to protect the environment. The new water infrastructure builds a legacy of sustainability for generations to come.”

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Türkiye

Supporting water-wise cities

Between 1990 and 2020, the country’s population surged from 56.5 million to 83.6 million, most of that growth concentrated in cities. Urbanisation rates soared by more than 4% annually, putting pressure on municipal infrastructure, especially water and wastewater management.

In response to these growing challenges, the EU, the EIB Global, İLBANK, and local municipalities and utility companies in Burdur, Bursa, Yalova and Yozgat have joined forces to fund and implement cutting-edge water infrastructure projects. These initiatives aim not only to improve the lives of residents but also to secure a sustainable future for the country.

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

Thanks to a 200-million-euro European Investment Bank loan and EU grant for technical assistance, the new or upgraded infrastructure in four provinces treats 75,000 cubic meters of wastewater - equivalent to 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools—before safely returning it to the environment. The impact of this project is far-reaching: wastewater produced by 400,000 people is being treated biologically. Future investments will upgrade drinking water systems for 700,000 people and enhance wastewater management for an additional 500,000 residents.

In addition to the water treatment improvements, the project will lay down 1,120 kilometres of new water transmission and distribution networks. A further 123 kilometres of wastewater and stormwater pipes will be installed to modernise the ageing infrastructure. These upgrades will help Türkiye meet EU standards in water and waste management.

“The operation has not only contributed to environmental protection and resource efficiency but has also reinforced the capacity of our promoter İLBANK, both at its headquarters and in its regional offices,” explains Josep Oriol Bellot Miana, a Senior Engineer at the EIB. “Through close collaboration with dedicated EIB staff and the technical assistance funded by the EU, İLBANK has significantly enhanced its technical and managerial capacities. This progress has paved the way for further partnerships in the affected municipalities following the devastating earthquakes in February 2023.”

EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

Josep Oriol Bellot Miana, a Senior Engineer at the European Investment Bank (EIB)

Stories about EU-Türkiye cooperation