Illegal Wells, Excessive Groundwater Use Causing Land Subsidence in Tehran

The annual land subsidence in Tehran Province is reportedly 36 centimeters, especially in its southern plains, which is the result of excessive groundwater extraction from underground aquifers, the deputy for operations at Tehran Regional Water Company said.
“Due to the decline in precipitation, persistent drought and lack of sufficient surface water resources, some farmers in the province have been digging illegal wells to withdraw water from the precious but fast-depleting groundwater resources; even the amount of water extraction from authorized wells is very high,” IRNA quoted Ahmad Ali Qorbanian as saying.
Over 3 billion cubic meters of water are extracted from groundwater sources in the capital every year. Besides land subsidence, groundwater overdraft could destroy vegetation, increase dust storms, create holes in the plains and increase salt content in groundwater.