Yazd Water Stress Worsens

The rise in ground water salinity including from deep wells in Yazd has harmed the quality of drinking water in the arid region, managing director of the provincial water company said.
“Underground resources are depleting faster than anticipated and supplying rural areas even low quality water may not be possible in the long run,” Mohammad Mehdi Javadianzadeh was quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry news website.
Rapid urbanization, excessive pumping of groundwater, rerouting rivers and streams, digging illegal wells and outdated farming methods are among the main causes of water crisis and increased salinity, Javadianzadeh said.