ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The most important usage area of freshwater resources is the one for drinking purposes. Although freshwater resources have enormous value for human life, they are under severe threat throughout the world due to pollution, unsustainable use, climate change and many other effects. In order to protect drinking water sources, it is a necessity to reduce erosion, control settlements and human activities around drinking water basins, take measures for point and diffuse pollution sources and prepare legal structure in line with European Union water legislation. Turkey makes many efforts on this issue. In this framework, this paper reviews drinking water protection issues inTurkey in terms of the existing institutional structure and legal framework. It also examines the details of drinking water protection studies which are conducted by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs.
