Lack of efficient rainwater management in Ahvaz, southwestern Khuzestan Province, is the main culprit causing floods again in urban districts, director of the National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company of Iran (Abfa) said.
“Expanding infrastructure that collects and conserves surface runoff after rainstorms has nothing to do with the Energy Ministry. It is the responsibility of the Ahvaz Municipality,” Qasem Taqizadeh Khamesi was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Torrential rains in the oil-rich region over the past few days has for the umpteenth time have created new misery for the residents as floodwaters sweep across their homes, shops and health centers during the worsening coronavirus crisis. One disturbing complain of the people is that they do not know whether to fight the deadly virus or the floods!
Referring to the wastewater collection network in Ahvaz that is under construction, Khamesi said, “Unlike what people think, the wastewater collection system is not designed to harvest surface water. Even after it is ready and in use the flooding problem will persist unless the municipality takes the effective measures to develop infrastructure.”
According to the Abfa chief, water harvesting grid is a separate system that collects surface runoff after rainstorms or in intermittent streams, rivers or wetlands for storage in open ponds and reservoirs.
“This can provide water for direct household use (treatment is generally required), irrigation, livestock, and aquaculture.”
Storage could also be the goal of collecting surface water, whether through open reservoirs or direct infiltration to aquifers below the ground. Storing water in an aquifer conserves water better as it prevents evaporation, unlike open reservoirs.
As the usual blame game continues, the Ahvaz flood victims protest that they have been left to fight their own battles with little or no help from the government or relief and rescue teams.
The oil city lacks decent infrastructure that can collect surface water. As and when rainfall exceeds five millimeters water gushes into homes and workplaces causing extensive damage.
--- Dilapidated Pipelines
In related news, the Energy Ministry’s news portal quoted Behnam Moridi, managing director of the provincial water company, as saying that at least half of Ahvaz water supply infrastructure, including 1,100 km of dilapidated pipelines, needs to be fixed.
“Close to 100 kilometers of decrepit pipelines, some more than 30 years old, have been rehabilitated so far.”
The old, leaky and rusty metal pipes are being replaced with high density polyethylene tubes, he said, noting that the project needs at least five years to be completed as budgets are tight.
Referring to the city’s second wastewater plant, he said a $45 million project is underway and on completion will treat 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater a day.
“Length of wastewater pipeline is close to 2,300 kilometers and was extended by another 100 km in 18 months.” Ahvaz has 185 pumping stations that send untreated water to the city’s sole wastewater plant.
Collecting wastewater is key to also protecting the environment because if it is not channeled into the network it contaminates clean underground water.
Khuzestan is home to the largest oil and gas fields in Iran along with steel companies. The Karoun and Maroun Oil and Gas companies, the National Iranian Drilling Company, Maroun and Razi Petrochemical Companies and Khuzestan Steel Company are mega companies doing billions of dollars’ worth of business every year but have amazingly failed to shoulder their social responsibilities.
In addition to the water and surface water crisis, the southwestern province also has to bear the brunt of dust storms that have increased in both frequency and intensity in recent years.
