Gilan Province’s annual water consumption tops 3.3 billion cubic meters, most of which is used in the agro sector, the head of provincial water company said.
“Farming practices, especially rice farm spanning 240,000 hectares, gobble up 90% of water supply in the northern region, most of which is supplied from Sefidroud Dam,” the Energy Ministry’s news portal quoted Vahid Khorrami as saying.
Households and industries account for 300 million cubic meters of the total consumption.
“The province is home to 54 rivers that extend over 2,500 kilometers. Nonetheless, collecting surface water has turned into a big challenge as precipitation has decreased by 40% in the current water year [ending Sept. 21] in the region,” he said.
“The construction of inflatable rubber dams can help the region's agriculture. Although Gilan gets some of the heaviest rains among Iran’s 31 provinces, significant volumes of surface water is lost due to the lack of reservoirs.”
The province is home to 54 rivers that extend over 2,500 kilometers. Nonetheless, collecting surface water has turned into a big challenge as precipitation has decreased by 40% in the current water year [ending Sept. 21] in the region
Inflatable rubber dams are cylindrical rubber fabrics placed across channels, streams and rivers to raise the upstream water level when inflated. The fabric is flexible and yet exhibits good wear-resistance characteristics.
Due to its moderate climate, agriculture and animal husbandry are the main occupations in Gilan. Over half of its farmlands are under rice cultivation and the region is one of the major rice production hubs of Iran.
Other well-known Gilan products include tea, citrus fruits, hazelnut, peanut and caviar. Annually, 2.5 million tons of crops are produced in the province.
Underdeveloped Infrastructure
Wastewater treatment facilities in northern province is lagging behind due to poor and underdeveloped infrastructure, especially in the rural areas.
An estimated 90 million cubic meters of wastewater are produced by households in the northern tourist region, a big portion of which (70 mcm) is not recycled and flows into the Caspian Sea or is lost to seepage, ILNA reported.
Collecting wastewater is key to protecting the environment because if not channeled into a network, it can contaminate underground water.
“Annual water consumption in the household sector in the major northern tourist hub is 150 mcm, which produces close to 90 mcm of effluent. Not reclaiming the massive volume is a big economic and environmental loss with adverse effects for the water tables,” Ali Dafsari, a lawmaker from the region, said.
“Close to 90% of water demand in the region are met from underground resources and failing to efficiently treat wastewater will contaminate underground water and endanger the health of 2.5 million people.”
Dafsari said sewage collection network in the province extends over 1,000 kilometers but many households, chiefly in rural areas, are yet to be linked to it.
Lack of efficient rainwater management in Gilan is the main culprit behind floods, mainly in the suburban areas.
Annual rainfall in the green and picturesque region is about 1,100 millimeters (the highest in Iran). Nevertheless, due to the absence of wastewater and surface water collection networks, high levels of precipitation have always spelled trouble for residents who bear the consequences of floods.
