Around 40% of hospital waste water in Tehran enters absorbing wells and surface waters network, IRNA quoted Tehran Municipality’s environment and sustainable development office as stating. There are about 150 hospitals in Tehran, 8% of which lack wastewater treatment facilities; and 34% are equipped with deficient facilities. As a result, hospitals’ wastewater enters the city’s water system, according to Ali-Mohammad Sha’eri, head of the office. Hospital wastewater enters surface water networks in southern Tehran and is then used for irrigation of agro-farms, Sha’eri said, calling hospital wastewater “dangerous”, since their disastrous effects linger for over 50 years. Despite their importance, wastewater treatment facilities are not usually considered in hospital designs, due to their high costs. “Regular monitoring of hospitals by relevant bodies is essential in ensuring hospitals’ compliance with environmental codes,” Sha’eri suggested. “The ministry of health must provide public hospitals with sufficient budget to set up wastewater treatment facilities.”
