Head of the Water Industry Confederation Declares Iran's Water Situation 'Critical'

According to the head of the Water Industry Confederation, Iran has surpassed water imbalance and is in the midst of a 'crisis', requiring an investment of 80 trillion tomans just to solve Tehran's water problem. Reza Hajikareem stated that based on the 'Falkomark' index used to determine water imbalance, 'we should not consume more than 40 percent of renewable water resources, and we are consuming over 90 percent of renewable water resources, meaning we have not only surpassed the imbalance but are in the midst of a crisis.' According to the government news agency ILNA, Hajikareem declared the situation in Tehran dangerous, stating that 70 percent of water resources are allocated for drinking, meaning that even the smallest damage or negligence could lead to severe consequences. In response to proposals such as relocating the capital to address imbalances, he stated that relocating the capital 'will not solve the water problem, nor do we have the current investment capacity to carry it out.' The alarm for the water crisis in Iran has been raised for years, and the continuous protests of farmers in various provinces, including Isfahan, testify to the intensification of the water crisis in Iran. The water crisis has also led to inter-provincial migration, which analysts have warned about its consequences. In recent months, media outlets have repeatedly reported on the intensification of migration from central regions to northern provinces and warned about the repercussions of this event. In questioning the reasons for this, the website 'Asr Iran' asked: 'Are the officials themselves willing to live in a poor environment and complete deprivation?' Earlier, Shahla Kazemipour, a faculty member at the University of Tehran, told the 'Khabar Online' website that migration is pursued for greater welfare, which is currently sought through migration from one city to another. Ahmad Vezifeh, head of the National Drought Center of the Meteorological Organization, also warned about this issue last year, stating to 'Khabar Online': 'The Helmand River has practically dried up to increase migration from a province like Sistan and Baluchestan; experts believe that environmental migrations start from polluted air and have reached water scarcity.' Cultural differences, the local people's attitudes towards migrants, housing needs, essential life goods, education, health, and other urban living requirements are among the factors that can independently challenge the quality of life in destination cities. NASA also presented a report a few years ago on global warming and drought conditions, identifying 45 countries directly exposed to 'severe drought.' In this ranking, Iran was the fourth country that would see a large part of it turn into desert in the next 30 to 40 years. Land subsidence near Persepolis, large cracks around the relief of Rostam, a 55 percent increase in water prices, rising food prices, a manager from the 'Ministry of Roads' announced a 5 to 10-year opportunity to 'save cities' from the risk of land subsidence, Iran's environment is in crisis; 9 wetlands have 'completely' dried up, the water crisis in Iran; a government official stated that water for 700 villages in Sistan and Baluchestan is supplied by tankers, and a 'seven-hour' water cut in Isfahan.