American Expert: Isfahanis Must Make Tough Decisions Regarding Water

Officials state that the Zayandeh Rud river is vital for Isfahan province, which has been so dry for some time that neither the river nor the wetlands leading to Gavkhouni have the vital flows to sustain the province. Recently, a number of specialists, researchers, and professors from reputable American and European universities visited Isfahan to assess the condition of this river. Michael Campana, a professor at Oregon State University and an expert in groundwater and water resource management, is one of those who has studied the Zayandeh Rud's condition in Iran. He mentions that before going to Iran, he read articles related to Isfahan and the Zayandeh Rud, which he believes resembles the situation in California's Central Valley, the Rio Grande in New Mexico, and the Colorado River in Arizona, California, and Nevada: "I think the problem Isfahan faces is similar to issues in dry regions and some humid areas around the world. In Isfahan, agriculture is primarily conducted through irrigation. Some industries, such as oil refineries and steel complexes, are also located in this area. However, it is irrigation in agriculture that consumes the most water, which I believe accounts for about 80 to 85 percent of usage. This is common in many places where irrigation is used in agriculture." Agriculture has always been blamed as the main culprit for water scarcity in Iran. Some officials say that gradually transitioning from traditional irrigation to modern irrigation could help this issue. However, the problem is that this sector, which consumes the most water in the country, also has the least efficiency. Officials state that the area of agricultural and garden lands in the Zayandeh Rud watershed has increased fivefold in recent years, meaning 200,000 hectares that require one and a half billion cubic meters of water. Michael Campana, like many other specialists, believes: "Agriculture requires a lot of water. Therefore, the Zayandeh Rud is experiencing drought conditions because it does not have enough water to meet all these needs. Groundwater is being pumped due to the lack of surface water, and the level of groundwater has significantly declined. Thus, we have a river that supplies drinking water for four to five million people and is also crucial for agriculture and industry in one of Iran's most important regions." According to experts, the state of groundwater in Iran is not good at all. This is what Campana, a groundwater specialist, also emphasizes, stating that something must be done about it as soon as possible. Campana refers to past exploitation conditions of the Zayandeh Rud, including the digging of the Koohrang tunnels: "From what I see, old options like digging tunnels for water transfer, given climate change and increasing needs, no longer solve the issue. Therefore, tough decisions must be made. This situation is not only related to Iran. We have tried to do similar things, especially in the western United States, similar to the methods you have implemented in Isfahan. All these needs for water exist, but only a specific amount of water is available. It seems that in the future, even this amount will decrease. What will you do then?" Michael Campana, one of the most recognized bloggers in the field of water resources, states that, in his view, this region faces a series of tough decisions that will also be difficult for the people: "This situation reminds me of many situations we face, especially in the dry western United States." He explains the future situation for Isfahan: "I am not a climatologist. However, the map and plan I have seen indicate that that part of the world and parts of Iran will become warmer and drier. If you tell someone in Isfahan that your city and region are becoming drier, they will look at you and say this has been happening continuously for the past 10 to 15 years. So it is not new to them, but more fundamental work must be done. In future tough decision-making, water usage will be severely limited." He continues: "From what I have read, in the past 30 or 40 years, when there was a need to increase water in the region, water was easily obtained from other places. This is similar to what we have done in some areas of the western United States. But the problem is that you can no longer do that. There is no longer enough water. Other places also need water and want parts of that water to return." The question of what can be done to prevent the Zayandeh Rud from becoming drier or to prevent the water situation from worsening seems to be a topic occasionally discussed in the government as well. The Minister of Energy states that today's situation in Isfahan is concerning for the entire country. Michael Campana, a water resources specialist in the U.S., says: "Several times journalists in Isfahan asked me what should be done? I met some of the best specialists in water and water management in Iran. Therefore, I cannot say anything that you do not already know. The problem is that different government sectors and specialists need to sit down and consult about how much renewable water there is. How much can we use from it, and how can we manage the imbalanced water-related sectors in the country? Then they must determine which sectors should be stopped and which can be utilized. This is a complex decision that will be difficult not only in Iran but also in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and China." The issue of the Zayandeh Rud watershed, according to specialists, is multifaceted, and a specific group cannot solve its problems; a unified decision-making and a common perspective are needed. Michael Campana emphasizes that "water resource management in Iran must be reformed" and that part of water consumption must be disregarded. Management that many specialists view as ineffective and incomplete, and managers who have been using the water crisis in the country for some time: "In my opinion, the crisis in Iran is more about water management than about access to water. This is a controversial issue, and I am sure some of my friends in Isfahan will disagree with me, but I believe Isfahan can overcome this crisis with the same characteristics it has, but the Isfahan we see now is probably a bit different from this image. The area of land under cultivation may change. Water consumption may change. There may be stricter measures regarding the consumption of water reserves, but we must not forget that personal water use is a very small percentage. The main consumer is the agricultural sector."