Operations to complete three artificial groundwater recharge projects in the drought-stricken South Khorasan Province have made 50% progress, the managing director of the provincial water and wastewater company said.
“Groundwater levels are declining across the region, as our withdrawals exceed the rate of aquifers to naturally replenish themselves, that’s why artificial recharge has become a priority in the area,” Abbas Sarani was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
Close to $500,000 have so far been invested in these projects and they require $2 million to become operational, he added.
Giving a breakdown, the official noted that the first project is being completed in Nehbandan County to store about 2 million cubic meters of water.
Artificial recharge (also known as planned recharge) is a way to store water underground in times of water surplus to meet demand in times of shortage.
The second and third plans are being implemented in Gazik and Zirkouh counties to store 2 mcm and 4 mcm of water respectively.
Artificial recharge of groundwater is an established practice, as a long history of experimentation and implementation of full-scale recharge projects exists and clearly shows the benefits of this technology.
According to the official, the reduction in the quantity and quality of groundwater resources is one of the effects of drought, which has made water shortage critical in the province.
“Every year, about 905 mcm of water are extracted from the province's groundwater resources, of which 88% are used in agriculture, 9% in households and 3% in industries and services,” he said.
Imminent Threat
The dependence of more than 99.8% of water consumption in South Khorasan on groundwater resources and increasing extraction have created a difficult situation for the provincial plains, such that land subsidence has become an imminent threat.
Sarani noted that there are eight dams in South Khorasan with a total capacity of 75 million cubic meters.
Due to the absence of permanent rivers and lack of access to the sea, water in the border and desert province is supplied from groundwater resources, including wells, springs and aqueducts.
Wells account for 63% of the water supply, with 250 mcm from the qanat (underground aqueducts) and the rest from groundwater resources like rivers and dams that are drying up due to its extensive use in different sectors.
According to the latest data, nearly 50% of the province’s villages are now deserted. Of the 3,500 villages, 1,600 are devoid of people.
Dwindling water resources and vanishing farmlands compel rural residents to migrate to cities in increasing numbers to find work.
Recurrent droughts have led to the desiccation of 15% of aqueducts and reduction of water levels in 30% of South Khorasan aqueducts.
The gradual loss of water resources has prompted people to take drastic measures, such as digging illegal wells and withdrawing excess water that have further exacerbated the water problem.
