The rapid decline of clean water resources, caused by climate change, population growth, and bad water management, is a big threat to both the environment and agriculture. In Türkiye, about 75% of clean water is used for irrigation in agriculture, which shows how important it is for this sector to use water wisely. This research investigates the viability of treated wastewater as a sustainable substitute for traditional water sources in agriculture, thereby mitigating water scarcity and minimizing environmental degradation. This study utilizes a spherical fuzzy adaptation of SWARA (Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis) and EDAS (Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution) to assess and rank drought-prone areas for waste-water application according to essential socio-environmental and economic factors.
The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change identified three areas in Türkiye—Southeastern Anatolia, Aegean, and Central Anatolia—as being more likely to experience drought. Three pilot cities (Kırıkkale, Manisa, and Şanlıurfa) were evaluated in these areas. The results showed that Şanlıurfa was the area most affected by drought and that its wastewater management system had the best chance of helping with sustainable development. In terms of numbers, Şanlıurfa had the highest rate of treating wastewater and the most agricultural land available for using wastewater. These findings indicate that emphasizing the utilization of treated wastewater in this region could substantially alleviate the effects of drought while fostering environmental resilience. This study is new because it uses a spherical fuzzy MCDM framework that was specifically designed to deal with the complicated uncertainties that come up in regional water management during droughts. By implementing a context-specific methodology for prioritizing agricultural wastewater, this study provides policymakers with pragmatic insights into sustainable water management practices, thereby advancing both regional and national sustainability objectives.