Water Import Not an Option for Addressing Deficit, Drought

Importing water from neighboring states, such as Tajikistan and Afghanistan, is neither logical nor feasible to address the water shortage in drought-stricken regions of the central plateau, director of Iran Water Industry Federation said.
"Purchasing water from Tajikistan will cost at least $4 per cubic meter and expecting a politically unstable country like Afghanistan to be committed to its water treaties is utter nonsense," Alireza Shariat was also quoted as saying by ILNA.
“Some government officials have suggested that importing water is on the Energy Ministry’s agenda as low precipitation and mismanagement of depleting underground resources are taking a heavy toll on farming sector and industries,” he said.
“Taking such tentative steps toward tackling the country's water problems will only worsen the situation as measures to supply water at any cost have never produced positive long-term results.”