The plan to transfer water from the Aras River in northwest Iran to Tabriz in East Azarbaijan Province, which had been delayed for several years, will be completed in about 40 months, the head of the assembly of representatives of East Azarbaijan said.
“A total of $525 million have been invested in the project and the contractor has started operations,” Mehdi Esmaeili was also quoted as saying by Mehr News Agency.
The long project delay was caused by the lack of financial resources. The issue has now been finally addressed by the government to help boost the region’s economic development.
One of the most important and largest infrastructural projects in the province, it includes laying a 245-kilometer water transmission pipeline from the Aras River to Tabriz, of which about 135 km have been completed.
Along with the installation of the rest of the pipeline, utilities like pumping stations and water and wastewater treatment plants will also be constructed.
When completed, the pipeline will supply water to 3.3 million people in 22 cities and 16 villages in and around Tabriz.
East Azarbaijan's share of water from the Aras River amounts to 282 million cubic meters a year, of which 180 mcm will be used for farming and industries, and the rest by households.
The agriculture sector in East Azarbaijan has a 12% share in Iran’s gross domestic product, 20% share in employment and an 80% share in meeting food demand.
The province is home to 1.22 million hectares of farms. Raisins, dairy products, tomato paste, apple juice, onions, lettuce and cabbage are the main agricultural products of the province.
Originating in Turkey, Aras flows eastward and forms international boundaries between Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan to the north and between Turkey and Iran in the south. After about 1,070 km, it joins the Kura River in Azerbaijan before reaching the Caspian Sea.
Low Precipitation, High Consumption
Iran is situated in an arid and semi-arid region and average precipitation rate has fallen to levels way below the global average while underground water resources are depleting rapidly.
The average annual rainfall in the world is 750 millimeters, but the figure is 250 mm in Iran, which is one-third of the global average.
The average global per capita water consumption is 150 liters per day but the average per capita water consumption in East Azarbaijan is 220 liters per day. This amount reaches 250 liters per day in summer when the temperature goes up and water consumption increases.
About 75% of Tabriz drinking water are supplied from Zarrinehroud and Nahand dams. However, as the equipment of water treatment plants and pumping stations in the two dams are more than 25 years old, in case any problem arises, drinking water supply to Tabriz metropolis will face serious challenges.
The completion of Aras water transmission line will help the city in this regard, as it can ensure a sustainable water supply for the people in the northwestern city.
