Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian on Monday inaugurated a water supply project in the town of Maraveh Tappeh in northern Golestan Province.
According to the Energy Ministry news website, the $1.5 million project will supply potable water to 10,000 people in 16 villages.
The project included installation of four pumping stations plus 18 kilometers pipeline.
"Some 105 water and wastewater projects worth $1 billion are underway in the province," Ardakanian said, adding that more than 600,000 rural dwellers in the province have been supplied with piped water in the past five years.
The number of rural folks with access to potable water has surpassed 17 million across the country, the minister said.
“Providing people with clean water is not the ministry’s sole aim. However, water quality is a crucial need and plans are in place to deliver with the help of modern technology.”
Regarding the role and significance of water and wastewater development projects in urban and rural areas, the official said, "Three hundred cities across the country are on the verge of water tension. Part of the problem goes back to the aging and insufficient infrastructure plus budgetary constraints."
Due to financial restrictions major water projects, including expansion of wastewater treatment plants, have been delayed. “Priority must be given to encouraging private companies to invest via new incentives.”
Private companies say water ventures are half as profitable as power projects and that is the main reason they prefer to invest in the latter.
The minister said the private sector has signed 22 water and wastewater deals worth 20 trillion rials ($170 million) with the Energy Ministry to supply water to the less privileged areas, in particular in the southern regions where desalination units are being built.
Observers including Ardakanian say Iran's water reserves are adequate enough to meet the needs of the 80 million population, but poor management, excessive consumption and waste have made things difficult.
