Iran, a country with an ancient civilization, has always relied on water management for its survival and prosperity. Today, the country faces one of the greatest challenges of this century: the water crisis . Freshwater, a vital resource, determines not only the food security and health of millions of people, but also the country’s economic, social, and ecological future. In this article, we explore this topic in more detail, analyzing the current situation, problems, and possible solutions to save this national treasure.
Current Status of Freshwater Resources in Iran: An Overview
Iran is located in a predominantly arid or semi-arid region of the world. Average annual rainfall is about 250 mm , less than a third of the global average (approximately 860 mm). Precipitation is unevenly distributed, with more precipitation in the north and west than in the center and east.
Iran’s water resources can be divided into two main categories:
1. Surface water resources:
These include rivers, lakes, and large dams. Iran’s main watersheds are:
-
Caspian Sea Basin: The most water-rich basin in the country, including major rivers such as the Sefidrud.
-
Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman Basin: Includes major rivers such as the Karun, Karkh, and Dez, which play an important role in supplying water to agriculture and industry in the southwestern region.
-
Lake Oromia Basin: Unfortunately, the Lake Oromia Basin is facing a serious crisis due to the decline in water volume over the past decades.
-
Central and Eastern Basins: These areas, such as the Kamarud Basin and the Central Desert, suffer from water scarcity and are under significant pressure on groundwater resources.
2. Groundwater resources: These resources, including groundwater, have long played a key role in Iran’s water supply, especially in the arid central region. Unfortunately, these strategic reserves are the most threatened. More than 55% of Iran’s water consumption comes from wells (with and without a license), pipelines, and springs, indicating Iran’s heavy dependence on these resources.
Future challenges: roots of the national crisis
The water crisis in Iran is caused by several important factors that are intertwined and complicate the situation:
-
Water scarcity: As mentioned above, Iran is located in an arid region of the world, which is a serious natural limitation.
-
Climate change and persistent drought: Rising temperatures, reduced snowfall in mountainous regions (which act as natural water reservoirs), changing precipitation patterns, and persistent droughts are increasing pressure on water resources.
-
Poor governance and poor policymaking:
-
Unsustainable agriculture: The low-productivity agricultural sector consumes more than 90% of the country’s water . The cultivation of water-intensive crops such as rice and watermelons in arid regions using traditional flood irrigation methods without modern irrigation systems leads to significant water losses.
-
Illegal well drilling and overexploitation: Extensive illegal well drilling and overexploitation of groundwater have led to a sharp decline in the groundwater level, land subsidence (Iran currently has the highest land subsidence), and water salinization.
-
Incorrect consumption patterns: In both drinking water supplies and urban water supplies, high water losses occur due to corrosion and damage to the water supply network (physical waste) as well as an incorrect consumption culture.
-
-
Population growth and urban development: Population growth and the concentration of the population in large cities have significantly increased water demand and placed heavy strains on the water resources surrounding these cities.
-
Water pollution: Industrial wastewater, untreated municipal sewage, and agricultural water contaminated with pesticides and fertilizers also threaten the quality of remaining water resources.
Exit strategies: On the way to a sustainable future
Resolving Iran’s water crisis will require radical changes in water management and citizen engagement. These solutions can be found at several levels:
1. Demand management and productivity improvement (top priority):
-
Agricultural revolution: changes in cultivation patterns to adapt to the moisture conditions of each region, development of greenhouse farming, widespread introduction of pressure irrigation (drip and sprinkler irrigation), and use of low-water-consumption varieties.
-
Water recycling and reuse: wastewater treatment and its use for irrigation of green spaces, in agriculture and in industry.
-
Modernization of water supply networks: reducing physical losses of urban water resources.
-
Awareness raising and cultural development: Educating the public on water conservation issues in all areas.
2. Administration and legislation:
-
Strictly enforce laws to prevent illegal water abstraction: close illegal wells and install smart meters on legal wells.
-
Setting a real water price: creating economic incentives to save water (of course taking social factors into account).
-
Preparation of the future national water resources document: coordination of all relevant institutions for integrated water resources management.
3. Technologies and innovations:
-
Use of new technologies: for example, seawater desalination in coastal provinces (with cost and environmental management) and the use of meteorological systems and satellites to improve irrigation management and drought forecasting.
-
Qanat rehabilitation and sustainable traditional practices: Utilizing traditional knowledge that has contributed to the conservation of water resources in the past.
Conclusion: Water is a matter of life and death.
Iran’s freshwater resources are under threat. This crisis threatens national security and endangers food security, public health, social stability , and the environment. Overcoming this difficult situation does not require short-term solutions. It requires national will, sound management, massive investment , and a radical shift from simply increasing water supplies to managing consumption and conserving existing resources. Iran’s future depends on how the country responds to this challenge, and time is running out for serious and decisive action. Every drop of water saved today is an investment in Iran’s future.