Close to 250 wastewater treatment plants are currently operational across Iran, which recycle about 700 million cubic meters of effluent per year, the head of Data and Information Department at Iran Water Resources Management Company said.
“Of the total processing output, 45% or 320 mcm are used in the agro sector annually,” Firouz Qasemzadeh was also quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry’s news portal.
Approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters of sewage are produced in Iran per annum, of which as little as 15% are reclaimed in 250 treatment facilities, he added.
The official said the agriculture sector gobbles up 90 bcm of water per year, of which a meager 0.3% comprises treated wastewater.
Referring to Iran’s location in an arid region, Qasemzadeh said, “We need to use refined wastewater in industrial and agricultural sectors more than before. In addition to meeting part of the water requirements of farming and industrial sectors, treatment plants also help preserve the environment.”
One cubic meter of polluted water contaminates 40 cubic meters of clean water, because of which collecting wastewater is also key to protecting the environment.
In view of dwindling rainfall and rising water consumption, authorities and experts have called for greater attention to collecting, treating and recycling water.
Growing water crises have drawn attention to the promise of water reuse.
When safely treated and well-integrated in water planning, treated effluents are a reliable water resource that can alleviate water shortages and offer a source of nutrients to agricultural lands, he added.
Perennial Drought
Recycling wastewater has increasingly come under spotlight in recent years, as the country continues to grapple with perennial drought that has left large swathes of land barren.
Iran is located in one of the most water-stressed regions in the world. Average annual rainfall is around 250 millimeters per year, or almost one-fourth of average global precipitation.
The country's water security is also threatened by a self-destructive habit of overconsumption that seems to be implacable despite warnings and wakeup calls of officials and experts.
"Water consumption is increasing despite lower precipitation, dwindling resources and rising temperatures. The trend should be corrected," he said, without proposing a concrete plan on how to upend the wasteful pattern.
Per capita water use in Iran is 204 liters per day, but for most European countries with significantly more rainfall and less population, that number is below 180 liters a day.
Massive amounts of water are wasted every year due to unsustainable farming practices and lack of technology to recycle effluent for farming.
According to statistics, Iran’s water recycling in agriculture is below 50%.
Almost 90% of the scarce water resources are consumed by the agriculture sector.
Water Disputes
Referring to water disputes between Iran and Afghanistan, Qasemzadeh said unlike what Afghan water officials say, Iran received less than 3 mcm of water from Hirmand (known as Helmand in Afghanistan) River in the last water year that ended in September.
In the 25th meeting of the Joint Committee of Hirmand Water Commissioners held in Tehran in June, Afghan officials argued that based on the agreement Iran signed with Afghanistan in 1973, close to 30 mcm of water were released between Sept. 2021 and June 2022, but barely 3 mcm entered Iran during the period.
Qasemzadeh noted that the Taliban are blaming the drought in Afghanistan and the long distance that the water has to pass through before it reaches Iran, both of which are lame excuses.
As per the treaty, Iran should have received at least 500 million cubic meters of water by now, but it has not and Afghan officials blame not only drought but also security issues that are unjustifiable.
Afghan officials claim that if their country had not suffered from drought, they would have released more water, which explanation makes no sense to Iran.
According to Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Iran will receive its fair share from the river only if Afghanistan has enough water and as long as the latter is suffering from drought, the former will not receive enough water.
“Our country is under tremendous stress and Iran must understand,” he said.
However, Iran says linking the water issue with Afghanistan’s internal affairs is irrelevant and irrational.
According to Qasemzadeh, such excuses are not justifiable, but Iran is still hopeful that diplomatic efforts would work.
“Given the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has generously helped the people of Afghanistan in several areas over the past 40 years, we expect the country to take Iran’s legitimate and legal demands into consideration,” he added.
Sistan-Baluchestan is the second largest province of Iran, bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan. The region has been struggling with severe water shortages for two decades, as rainfall averages a meager 105 mm.
