Water Management

Ziraat Bank addresses water resource protection and efficient use as a core element of its environmental sustainability approach in response to water scarcity, one of the most significant impacts of climate change. While global statistics indicate a rapid decline in clean water resources, scientific data showing that Türkiye is among water-scarce countries necessitate a more responsible and planned approach to water consumption by institutions.

In this framework, as a responsible corporate citizen, the Bank aims to achieve water savings through conscious water use, effective wastewater management, and recycling practices, and conducts its activities in alignment with national and international standards.

In 2025, within the scope of water management, priority focus areas included the use of water-efficient equipment and systems, the evaluation of greywater systems within technical feasibility limits, the expansion of rainwater management and reuse practices, strengthening the technical infrastructure enabling water consumption monitoring in large-scale projects, and identifying improvement areas in existing projects in line with technical and operational feasibility assessments.

In renovated units and all newly developed projects, the Bank prioritizes water-efficient sanitary fixtures and sensor-activated faucets in wet areas in line with water efficiency targets. Thanks to the design features of these products, approximately 40% water savings are achieved in these areas.

Responsible and Efficient Use of Water

In new buildings and projects, particularly the Ziraat Towers located in the Istanbul Financial Center, water efficiency is considered a priority criterion from the design stage onward. During the construction of the Istanbul Financial Center Ziraat Towers, water and wastewater management was carefully planned, and efficient irrigation systems were selected to reduce water usage. In landscaping areas, local plant species adapted to climate conditions were chosen, and low-water-demand landscaping solutions were implemented by avoiding the use of turf grass.

To enhance water efficiency throughout the building, efficient fixtures compliant with specifications were installed in wet areas, and hot water is supplied through centralized and local systems according to demand.

In the Istanbul Financial Center Ziraat Towers Project, a greywater treatment facility enabling reuse significantly reduces the complex’s reliance on municipal water supply. Approximately 56,000 m³ of water per year is reused through greywater conversion, corresponding to the annual water consumption of approximately 233 households.

Wastewater Management and Recovery

The Bank’s water management approach is not limited to reducing consumption; it also adopts a circular water management model through wastewater recovery and reuse. Within this scope, a system enabling the recovery of backwash water from water treatment systems was established at Ziraat Towers with an investment of approximately EUR 25,000.

Backwash water from the main potable water treatment system and the cooling tower feedwater treatment systems is stored through an additional system; an average of 155 m³ of water per day is recovered and used for vehicle washing and landscaping irrigation. In addition, condensation water from cooling systems is utilized for garden irrigation, and the conversion facility established for greywater collection and reuse significantly reduces the need for municipal water.

In 2025, total water consumption at the Istanbul Financial Center Ziraat Towers amounted to 172,252 m³; during the same period, an average of 40,455 m³ of greywater was recovered daily, and approximately 2,500 m³ of water was collected annually from cooling system condensation lines. Thus, the entire irrigation demand was met from alternative water sources.

Across all ongoing and completed projects during the year, responsible and efficient water use is supported through the implementation of high-efficiency fixtures, smart irrigation systems, and water-saving solutions.

Rainwater Management

All ongoing projects of Ziraat Real Estate Investment Trust are designed in compliance with the provisions of the Planned Areas Regulation regarding rainwater and greywater collection.

In the Göztepe Project completed in 2025, rainwater is collected through roof gutters, and the treated rainwater is used in toilet flushing systems, thereby reducing water consumption.

Water Footprint Inventory, Measurement and Monitoring

For the 2025 water footprint inventory study of Ziraat Bank, organizational boundaries were defined to cover operations including the Head Office, Money Group Centers, and all 1,745 domestic and international branches. In line with the operational control approach, all water use and discharge arising from the Bank’s activities were included in the calculations.

Water footprint calculations were conducted in accordance with the ISO 14046 Water Footprint Standard. The concentration values used in the calculations were determined based on national legislative criteria set under the Water Pollution Control Regulation. Consumption-based calculations conducted at the Head Office enabled more realistic and reliable results, while separate monitoring of the water footprints of Money Group Centers and branches allowed for more detailed analysis.

Through digitalization, water footprint calculations for each branch can now be analyzed in detail, enabling more effective data management and sustainability performance monitoring.

In 2025, the total water consumption resulting from the Bank’s operations is presented in the table below.

Total Water Consumption

Total Water Consumed and Polluted

Water Intensity

Total Water Consumption (m3)