There is no more available capacity to implement new water supply schemes in the capital and the only viable strategy is to manage the demand, a water expert at Tehran Regional Water Authority said.
Reportedly, water consumption in Tehran is annually equal to 4.8 billion cubic meters, comprising household (35.1%), agriculture (56.1%) and green space (6.5%), in addition to industry and service sectors (2.3%).
According to the deputy for planning and development at Tehran Regional Water Authority, the share of the capital from the dams under the management of TRWA has been determined at about 1 bcm per year, Zist Online reported.
However, some 240 million cubic meters have been actually inaccessible, Reza Momeni noted, hoping that the city's sixth water treatment center will start operation by next spring, "otherwise, the metropolis will definitely face serious fresh water challenges."
He further said with the launch of the treatment facility, the pressure on the ground water resources will be relieved to some extent, plus there would be enough water to meet urban demands.
The very first natural consequence of excessive water extraction from ground water resources is the emergence of pit craters, which could be dangerous if they emerge in urban areas. The phenomenon is unfortunately happening more frequently these days in the capital.
New Facility
Momeni added that the capital's sixth water treatment center which will be fed by Amirkabir Dam as planned, has so far cost 10 trillion rials ($90 million) and will become operational if another 1.5tr ($13.5m) is financed.
As stated by Mohammadreza Bakhtiari, head of Tehran's Water and Wastewater Company, the 29.5-km tunnel and the treatment center are ready and "the facility is merely awaiting the remaining equipment to start operation."
Bakhtiari also called on relevant officials at the city council and lawmakers to help facilitate the progress of the project.
Green Space in Focus
As part of efforts to decrease water consumption in the capital, the city's green space has come into the spotlight.
Providing a solution, lawmakers passed a directive in July, based on which planting of grass in parks and green spaces of the capital's 22 districts were banned.
The municipal officials claimed that the rule is aimed at reducing the high costs of green space development as well as water consumption. It requires that other plant species, which need less water, including trees that are resistant to pests and are compatible with the city's climate, be used as alternatives.
According to Bakhtiari, Tehran's green spaces gulp some 190 mcm of water in a year.
"Based on plans, 70 mcm of the volume is to be reduced through restrictions on the irrigation of lands covered with grass and the rest of the water requirement is to be supplied from treated wastewater," he added.
Falling Water Level
The total volume of available water behind Tehran's surrounding dams, including Amirkabir, Taleqan, Latian and Mamlou is estimated at 706 mcm as of August 26, which is 236 mcm less than the amount of the same time last year.
Reportedly, an average of 320 mcm of water is annually extracted from the Tehran's groundwater resources, which reached the alarming figure of 450 mcm in dry years.
