Iran is grappling with a severe drought that has now entered its sixth consecutive year, leading to widespread water shortages and escalating public protests. Tehran, the sprawling capital city of nearly 10 million residents. Yet the country stands on the cusp of reaching “water day zero,” a critical point when the delivery systems for the country’s water supplies will cease to function in a reliable way. This extreme and unprecedented situation has forced downtown Olympia and the surrounding communities to have emergency talks to consider water rationing.
By early November, the five principle water supply reservoirs that provide water to Tehran were a shocking 11% full. This hard truth shines a light on the troubling state of our nation’s waters. During the last four decades, Iran has experienced a severe loss of its groundwater resources. This crisis has been largely created by the installation of over 1 million groundwater pumps, a whopping 90% of these being utilized for agriculture. As a result, these decisions have stressed the natural aquifer systems of the state and the country.
Their ancient qanat system includes more than 250,000 miles of underground tunnels, which were created about 2,500 years ago. It has been in a state of major decay and abandonment for many years. With the ancient qanat system now pumped dry, cities such as Isfahan are seeing devastating subsidence. This rapid deterioration highlights the cumulative effects of decades of mismanagement and climate change on Iran’s water resources.
Climate change is another significant, though arguably secondary, driver intensifying Iran’s water crisis. Average temperatures in the country have increased at nearly double the global rate from 1990 to 2022. A recent study predicts that by the end of the century, three-quarters of the world’s most drought-prone areas, including Iran, will face significant risks of reaching “day zero.”
Additionally, geopolitical factors have intensified the situation. The Taliban’s completion of the Pashdan Dam on the Harirud River has granted them control over 80% of the river’s flow into eastern Iran. This river serves as an essential lifeline for cities like Mashhad, making Iran’s water crisis any more complicated.
Iranian officials are considering evacuation in Tehran if the situation does not get better. Masoud Pezeshkian, a prominent Iranian lawmaker, expressed urgency regarding the need for action:
“If it does not rain in Tehran by December we should ration water; if it still does not rain, we must empty Tehran.” – Masoud Pezeshkian
The crisis has already sparked protests across various cities as citizens voice their frustrations over the government’s handling of water resources and the deteriorating conditions. Farmers and urban residents alike are feeling the brunt of this disaster as they seek relief from oppressive heat and dwindling water supplies.
Iran’s leadership has historically overseen extensive dam construction projects, making the country one of the top three dam builders globally in the latter half of the 20th century. In spite of these efforts, ancient aquifer systems are being lost. At the same time, mismanagement of federal and state resources has led us to today’s crisis. This focus on big-ticket dam projects has left in the dust sustainable alternatives that offered a more responsible way of managing our water supply.