Iran Groundwater Extraction, Land Subsidence Highest in the World

Iran Water Industry Federation’s assessments rank the country among the top three with the highest land subsidence rate caused by the substantial decline in groundwater resources, a board member of the privately-owned organization said.
"It is regrettable that despite all warnings issued by domestic and international research institutes, policymakers still insist on pursuing the poor strategies that have been in practice over the last four decades," Reza Hajikarim was also quoted as saying by the Energy Today website.
The official noted that water-intensive industries, especially steel, are expanding in desert areas like Kashan County in the central Isfahan Province, pointing out that steel mill owners are developing their plants in dry areas by buying dry farmlands.
“In other parched regions like Hamedan Plain, thermal power plants are depleting aquifers as they require massive amount of water for their cooling towers,” he said.