Water Resource& Policies In The Name Of God Country Report from Iran Water Resource& Policies S. Shirzad Ministry of Energy Water Resources Management Company Aug. 2007

Contents Water Resources Potentials and Related Issues Major challenges and Trends in Iranian Water Resources Management Recent Approaches and Water Policies Conclusions

Water Resources Potentials and Related Issues

Iran Location Area: 1.648 million km2 Population: 69 million No of provinces: 30 Average Rainfall: 250 mm Neighboring Countries: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey Saudi Arabia Oman Kuwait Qatar Bahrain U.A.Emirates

Population Growth and Water Scarcity • The country’s population increase: from 10 millions in 1920 to more than 69 millions in 2006 (about 7 times ) • At present Iran is the 17th most populated countries in the world • by the end of 2050 Iran will be classified as one of the 10 most populated regions in the world (based on the UN data ) • Therefore the need for water has been increased but still the quantity of water is not adequate.

• Total land area of the country : 165 Mha • Cultivable area : 37 Mha Land, Irrigation and Agricultural • Total land area of the country : 165 Mha • Cultivable area : 37 Mha • Actual cultivated area : 19 Mha • Forests area: 12.4 Mha • Pastures, mountains and deserts area: 89.2 Mha • Irrigated erea: 8 Mha • Rain-fed land erea: 6 Mha • fallow land area: 4.5 Mha • under surface irrigation: 7.6 Mha (95%) • under the pressurized irrigation: 0.4 Mha (5%)

Iran’s climate varies from region to region: Climate and Precipitation Iran’s climate varies from region to region: • The winter temperatures in the mountainous areas of the north-west drop as low as -29˚C • The Khuzestan Plain has extremely hot humid summer with an average temperature of about 35˚C • Most of the interior plateau has a dry climate, but the winters are mild and pleasant. • Iran has 8 climatic zones varying from very dry to very wet. • The average annual precipitation is 250 mm and the range (varies from 50 mm to more than 1600 mm ) • Based on the average annual precipitation, Iran’s climate is classified among the semi-arid and arid.

Water Resources Potentials and Related Issues Six major water basins and Rate of precipitation in IRAN Basin Area (×10ˆ3 Km2) Rainfall (km3/ year) As % of total rainfall Central Plateau 831 138 32 Persian Gulf and Oman sea 430 162 38 Caspian Sea 177 83 19.5 Hamoun Lake 106 12 3 Orumie Lake 53 19 5 Serakhs 44 11 2.5 Total 1641 425 100 Major catchment Basins location

Rivers & Water Resources

Annual Renewable Water Availability Renewable Fresh Water Year Annual Renewable Water Availability (cubic meter/capita) 1956 7000 2007 1900 2020 1300

Water Resources Potentials According to studies carried out for formulation of the Iran Water Comprehensive Plan, the main characteristics of annual precipitation and its conversion to water resources are shown: Annual Water Resources in Billion Cubic Meters • Average annual precipitation 400 BCM • Renewable water resources 130 BCM • Average annual evaporation & transpiration 270 BCM • Surface currents 92 BCM • Seepage to alluvial aquifers 38 BCM Return Water from Consumption 29 BCM Total 159 BCM

Water Consumption at a Glance

Water Stress and food production in Iran

Elements of Water Management Policy Makers Parliament Supreme Water Council, presided by the President of Iran Governance (Ministry of Energy) Deputy Minister for Water Affairs (Iran Water Resources Management Company) Regional Water Companies Deputy Minister for Water & Wastewater Affairs (Water & Wastewater Engineering Company) Provincial Water & Wastewater companies Other Stakeholders Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture Ministry of Industry Mines, Ministry of Urban Development Environmental Protection Organization, … Private Sector 126 Consultant firms 216 Contractors

Infrastructure Storage and Diversion Dams Irrigation and Drainage Networks Urban Water, Wastewater and Sanitation Hydropower

Regulating Volume (BCM) DAMS Under Construction Under Operation 85 25 18.1 No. of Dams Total Capacity (BCM) Regulating Volume (BCM) 95 31 35

Irrigation & Drainage Networks Under Operation Number of IDN: 66 Area under command (ha): 1560000 Under Construction Number of IDN: 49 Area under command (ha): 500,000

Availability of Potable Water for Urban and Rural Population Title 1979 2005 Urban Population Access to Potable Water (Percent) 62.3 97.8 Rural Population Access to Potable Water (Percent) Less than 24 85

Urban Water and Sanitation Total Urban Habitat (million) 40.6 Population Covered by Urban Water Services (million) 39 No. of Cities under Service 650 Percent of Population under Service(%) 97.8 Supplied Water (MCM) 6845 Total Length of Water Distribution Network (km) 80000 No. of Subscribers 7,800,000 No. of Water Treatment Plants 90

Hydropower Installed Capacity 6262 MW Under construction 7000 MW Potential Capacity 26000 MW

Energy Production Rates in 2020

Growth Trend of Hydropower Installing Capacity in Iran

2. Major challenges and Trends in Iranian Water Resources Management

2. Major challenges and Trends in Iranian Water Resources Management Unbalance sequence between demand and supply of water resources Excessive withdrawal of groundwater resources Demand Management in accordance to priorities set in the National Water Plan Assessment of total value and cost of water relevant to each basin Pollution of water resources and its economic and environmental consequences Efficiency in water irrigation systems Risk Management of water related natural disaster ( i. e. drought and flood) Implementation of National Integrated Water Resources Management Efficient and equitable water price for various uses Land use planning Unaccounted for water (UFW)

Water Consumption Vision population 90 million Consumption Increase due to urbanization and improved welfare Water Demand We need 30 bcm more

How We Can Prepare More Fresh Water in Future Improvement Water efficiency Increasing the Storage Capacity Modern Water Harvest Methods Water & Wastewater Recycle Salty Water Desalination

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies In order to solve the challenges Iran has developed some important and strategic plans which are as follow: Promotion of Private Investment in Water Projects Long-Term Development Strategies for Iran’s Water Resources Creation of Water Related Councils Strengthening Scientific and Practical Skills and Potentials Promotion of sustainable development and environmental views in water resources management The 4th Development Program of the Country-Water Sector

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies 3. 1. Promotion of Private Investment in Water Projects Due to increasing water scarcity in the country policy makers have been forced to proceed in more open minded strategies and to share the stakeholders to participate in water resources development projects. In this regard, the Law of Promotion of Investment in Water Projects was approved in 2002 and is now effective.

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies 3. 2. Long-Term Development Strategies for Iran’s Water Resources With respect to the great social and economical development role that water resources have in the country, a code of conduct which have illustrated the future water strategies, have been prepared. According to the challenges, it has been planned to increase irrigation network efficiency in such way to decrease agricultural share of water from 92 percent to less than 87 percent within the next 20 years. Since water pollution is now considered as one of the major issues of concern in recent decades, it has been planned that strict control of wastewater discharge to the environment is going to be respected in all aspects. Promotion of public awareness activities in order to increase people’s share in conservation of water resources is also planned to be part of the future goals of water resources strategies in the country.

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies 3. 3. Strengthening Scientific and Practical Skills and Potentials In order to strengthen regional cooperation, the Regional Center on Urban Water Management (RCUWM-Tehran) was established in 200 1 with collaboration of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Duties of the RCUWM-Tehran are to promote the transfer of technical knowledge and experience and to promote awareness and capacities in all aspects of urban water management .

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies 3. 4. Creation of Water Related Councils Due to the relevant increasing demand potential over water resources and the importance of this valuable source, the Supreme Council of Water, which is headed by the president, is responsible to coordinate the future strategies of Iran’s water resources. Furthermore various organizations and NGOs are also active in different parts of the country to cooperate with governmental body in order to better implement the conducted strategies.

3. Recent Approaches and Water Policies 3. 5. Promotion of sustainable development and environmental views in water resources management On the basis of sustainable development approaches. economic development will be desirable. only when it is not followed by environmental damages and exhaustion of natural resources which the coming generations will need. Ministry of Energy (Water Resources Management Company) has always tried its best to pay attentions to environmental issues sustainable development. Therefore offices related to environmental affairs and sustainable development has been established in headquarter and provisional water authorities in order to guarantee that all its activities would follow environmental friendly concept .

How to Reach? The long-term development strategies are on the basis of IWRM deserve to respond: • Economic efficiency • Water for food and social security • Water for environment and sustainable development In addition to executing development plans & supplying water through dams construction, considerations of IWRM, EIA and sustainable development should be taken into attention.

The 4th Development Program of the Country-Water Sector (2004-2009) The Fourth Development Program consists of a Water sector in which 6 qualitative and 19 quantitative goals are considered. of the main qualitative goals the tailoring could be mentioned: - Integration and reconstruction of the management institutions - Development and exploitation of water resources in the framework of sustainable development - Mobilizing more financial resources to increase investment rate on water projects - Strengthening public contributions - Enhancing water economy efficiency

The 4th Development Program of the Country-Water Sector (2004-2009)   ITEM Average Annual Growth (%) Dams Regulated Capacity Small Water Supply Plans Main Irrigation Networks River and Coast Training Artificial Recharge Quantitative and Qualitative Water Resources Studies Qualitative Water Resources Monitoring Applied Researches Groundwater Exploitation Domestic Water-Urban and Rural Domestic Wastewater 6.5 7.41 0.58 16.5 7.4 66.6 49.6 15.1 0.94 6 16.9

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