Research Report: Significant Increase in Wastewater Production in Iran

According to a report published by the Open Data Iran database, over a five-year period, while the population covered by the sewage network in Iran has only grown by about 20%, the volume of wastewater collected in the sewage network shows an increase of more than 34%. Based on annual statistics from the National Sewage Engineering Company, the volume of wastewater collected, which was 4.4 million cubic meters per day in 2016, reached 5.9 million cubic meters per day in 2021. According to the same statistics, although the population covered by the sewage network increased from about 47% in 2016 to about 53% in 2021, Iran still lags behind many countries in the region in this regard. According to the OECD statistics, the rate of the population covered by the sewage network in Armenia is about 80%, Turkey over 89%, and Israel 99%. In 2016, the amount of wastewater collected per capita per day was 117 liters, which increased to 132 liters in 2021, indicating a significant increase in per capita wastewater production in the country's sewage network. Comparing these statistics with other countries shows that the volume of wastewater produced in Iran is relatively high compared to its level of development: in developed countries, per capita wastewater production ranges from 300 to 800 liters per day, and in developing countries, it ranges from 57 to 76 liters per day. Thus, Iran's wastewater production level is positioned between developed and developing countries. This report does not specify a clear reason for the excessive increase in wastewater production in Iran. Long queues of people in front of the water and sewage office due to several days of water outages; Zahedan, Friday, July 7. The municipality confirmed: the entry of "treated wastewater" and sewage into "canals and streets" in Tehran. The water supply in 8 cities and 50 villages in Fars province has run out. The challenge of providing drinking water in the country; an official stated: the situation is very dire. Water cut for "bad consumers" in Tehran coinciding with the intensification of the water crisis in Iran. There is no water; Sistan and Baluchestan at risk of forced migration. Tehran Water and Sewage Company: Some areas have fluctuating water supply.