Water Crisis in Iran and Solutions

Why in News

According to recent reports, the water level in the dam reservoirs supplying water to the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad has fallen below 3%, and the country is facing a severe water crisis. The president has warned that if the situation does not improve, the capital, Tehran, may have to be evacuated.

Water Crisis in Iran: Key Factors

• Mismanagement and inefficient governance: Including excessive dam construction, illegal well drilling, and unsustainable agriculture.
• Inappropriate agriculture: Agriculture consumes over 90% of Iran's water.
• Climate change and drought: Iran is located in a naturally arid region, and climate change has exacerbated drought events.
  • The severe drought that has been occurring for the past five years has exacerbated the situation, leading to reduced rainfall.
• Aging infrastructure: Water supply systems in cities are outdated, leading to significant water leakage.
• Overexploitation of groundwater: The use of powerful pumps and the digging of deep wells has depleted groundwater reserves at an alarming rate.

Effects of the Water Crisis

• Environmental degradation: Major rivers have dried up, and key water bodies like Lake Urmia have shrunk, leading to salt flats and dust storms.
• Social unrest and migration: Water shortages have forced thousands of farmers and rural residents to abandon their livelihoods and migrate to cities.
• Food security and economy: This crisis threatens food security and agricultural productivity, causing significant economic losses.
  • The World Bank estimates that water scarcity could reduce Iran's GDP growth rate by 6% by 2050.
• Public health: Poor water quality has increased health concerns.

The Way Forward: Solutions

• The Iranian government has introduced some measures, but experts argue that they are often short-term and do not address the root causes.
• Proposed permanent solutions include implementing modern irrigation techniques, improving water governance, enforcing strict regulations on water consumption, and investing in wastewater treatment.
• Without addressing current mismanagement, the crisis is expected to worsen, potentially rendering parts of the country uninhabitable.