In The Name Of God
An Overview of Water Resources
Management in IR of Iran
Water & Wastewater Micro Planning Bureau
Ministry of Energy
2012
1
Contents
1. Water Resources Potentials and Related
Issues
2. Development Procedure of Water Sector
3. Major Challenges and Trends in Iranian Water Resources
Management
4. Recent Approaches and Water Policies
5. Conclusion
2
1. Water Resources Potentials and
Related Issues
3
1.2: World Climate Classification
4
1.3: Population Growth and Water Scarcity
Based on these unpleasant facts, improving wise water policy strategies that would
promote water use efficiency has been put in the priorities of Iran water resources
management plans.
5
1.4: The Available Fresh Water Per Capita
16000
14000
12000
Cubic Meter
10000
World
8000
Iran
6000
MENA
4000
2000
0
1960
1990
2025
45 years ago: The available fresh water perYear
capita in Iran was ½ of the world average in
the early years of 1960
15 years ago: The available fresh water per capital in Iran was 1/3 (one third) of the
worlds related average.
In next 20 years: The per capita of available fresh water in Iran would be ¼ (one
fourth) of the world’s related average.
Less than 10 years in the future Some parts of the country would be encountered
with somehow water crisis conditions.
6
1.5: Iran Location
Area:
1.648 million
Population:
75 million
No of provinces: 30
Average Rainfall: 250 mm
Neighboring Countries:
Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Iraq
Turkmenistan,
Azerbaijan,
Armenia,
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Kuwait
Qatar
Bahrain
U.A.Emirates
km2
I.R. of IRAN
7
1.6 Population Growth and Water Scarcity
The country's population has increased about 8 times
during the last 80 years and it has got from 10 millions in
1920 to more than 75 millions in 2012. At present Iran is
the 17th most populated countries in the world and based
on the data presented in UN it will be classified as one of
the 10 most populated regions in the world by the end of
2050. Therefore the need for water has been increased
but still the quantity of water is not adequate.
8
1.7: Precipitation
The average annual precipitation is estimated to be 250 mm
and the range varies from 50 mm in some parts of the central
water basin to more than 1600 mm in some coastal areas
near the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile with respect to the average
annual precipitation in the world with average rainfall of
more than 830 mm, Iran is classified among the semi-arid
and arid countries. Still the main source of water resources
throughout the country is annual precipitation.
9
Precipitation Distribution
10
1.8 Water Resources Potentials and Related Issues
Six major water basins in IRAN
Major catchments
Area (*103 Km2)
Caspian Sea
177
Persian Gulf
430
Oromieh Lake
53
Central
831
Hamoon
106
Sarakhs
44
Total
1641
Major catchment Basins location
11
1.9 Water Resources Potentials and Related Issues
Rate of precipitation in six major water basins
Basin
Rainfall (km³/year)
As % of total rainfall
Central Plateau
138
32
Persian Gulf and
Oman sea
162
38
Caspian Sea
83
19.5
Hamoun Lake
12
3
Orumie Lake
19
5
Serakhs
11
2.5
Total
425
100
12
Rivers & Water Resources
13
8
Renewable Fresh Water
Year
Annual Renewable
Water availability
(cubic meter/capita)
1956
7000
2007
1900
2020
1300
14
1.11 Water Resources Potentials
According to studies carried out for formulation of the Iran Water
Comprehensive Plan, the main characteristics of annual precipitation
and its conversion to water resources are shown:
Annual Water Resources in Billion Cubic Meters (BCM)
• Average annual precipitation
400 BCM
• Renewable water resources
130 BCM
• Average annual evaporation & transpiration
270 BCM
• Surface currents
92 BCM
• Seepage to alluvial aquifers
38 BCM
Return Water from Consumption
Total 159
29
15
Fresh Water Consumption
30
70
At present Iran is using 70% of the total renewable freshwater while due to the
international norms the upper limit should be 40% of renewable freshwater; it
means that the remain unexploited renewable fresh water is only 30 % total
fresh water resources including environmental basic needs.
16
Percentage
Water Consumption at a Glance
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
98.6
1
1.3
92.4
1.4
1961
2005
Industry
Agriculture
6.2
86
9
5
2021
Domestic
17
92%
1.5%
6.5%
92.4% of accessible fresh water is used in agricultural activities
which is quite far more than the world average of 69-70% use in
agricultural activities. Domestic sector uses 6.5 % and industries
use only 1.5 % of accessible freshwater.
18
2. Development Procedure of Water
Sector
19
Elements of Water Management
• Policy Makers
– Parliament
– Supreme Water Council, presided by the President of Iran
• Governance (Ministry of Energy)
– Deputy Minister for Water Affairs
• Iran Water Resources Management Company
• Water & Wastewater Engineering Company
• Other Stakeholders
– Management & Planning Organization
– Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture
– Ministry of Industry
– Mines, Ministry of Urban Development
– Environmental Protection Organization, …
• Private Sector
– 126 Consultant firms
– 220 Contractors220 Contractors
– Stackholders & non govermental organisations
20
What happened in the past?
• First Book: “the Excavation of
Hidden Water” Karadji – about
1000 years ago
• 50 dams more than 200 yrs old
• Quanat: the famous
underground water system
which backs to at least
2500 years ago
21
Infrastructure
 Storage and Diversion Dams
 Irrigation and Drainage Networks
 Urban Water, Wastewater and Sanitation
 Hydropower
22
Hydraulic Structures and Dams
One of the items in Iran's water resources development plan is the
control and regulation of water resources through dams. In
accordance to the ICOLD identification of large dams, the country
has over 220 large dams in operation and also more than 85 dams
under construction which totally control over 46.4 billion cubic
meters of country's water resources.
ICOLD: International Committee of Large Dams
23
DAMS
Under Operation
No Major Dams
220
85
Total Capacity
(BCM)
32
30
Regulating Volume
(BCM)
46.4
10
24
DAMS
Under Construction
No Major Dams
181
85
Total Capacity
(BCM)
32
30
Regulating Volume
(BCM)
36
14
25
Development Procedure of Urban Water & Wastewater
Sector
In order to ensure sustainable development and social welfare in
Iran it is essential to construct infrastructures, particularly those
related to water supply and sanitation. Establishment of suitable
water and wastewater installations throughout cities and villages,
plays a fundamental role in national improvement of hygienic
conditions as well as promotion of public welfare. At present
more than 99.4 percent of Iran’s population is covered by urban
water and wastewater services.
26
Irrigation & Drainage Networks
Under Operation
• Number of IDN:
50
• Area under command
(million ha):
1.9
Under Construction
• Number of IDN:
82
• Area under command
(million ha):
1.4
27
Availability of Potable Water for Urban and Rural
Population
Title
1979
2012
Urban Population
Access to Potable
Water (Percent)
62.3
99.4
Rural Population
Access to Potable
Water (Percent)
Less than 24
86.5
28
Hydropower
• Installed Capacity
7400 MW
• Under Construction
4500 MW
• Potential Capacity
26000 MW
29
Energy Production Rates in 2020
.
Iran
.
1.6
0.4
.
0.5 1.2
17.5
.
Thermal
Hydro
Geothermal
Wind
Solar
World
78.8
Nuclear
30
be
MW
en
d
gin
ig
of
of
19
fir
88
st
en
ye
pr
d
ar
og
of
r
se
am
co
(1
nd
99
p
en
r
4)
o
d
gr
of
am
thi
(1
rd
99
pr
9)
og
ra
m
(2
at
00
no
en
4)
w
d
of
(c
om
fo
ur
ul
th
tiv
en
pr
e)
d
og
of
ra
fif
m
th
20
pr
09
og
ram
(2
01
en
4)
d
of
20
21
ye
ar
th
e
growth trend of hydropower
installing capacity in Iran
30000
5000
26000
25000
20000
14054
15000
11352
10000
5012
1804
1953
6262
2000
0
31
3. Major Challenges and Trends
in Iranian Water Resources Management
32
3. Major Challenges and Trends in Iranian Water Resources
Management
Unbalance sequence between demand and supply of water resources
Excessive withdrawal of groundwater resources
 Demand Management in accordance to priorities set in the National Water Plan
 Assessment of total value and cost of water relevant to each basin
 Pollution of water resources and its economic and environmental consequences
 Efficiency in water irrigation systems
 Risk Management of water related natural disaster ( i.e. drought and flood )
 Implementation of National Integrated Water Resources Management
 Efficient and equitable water price for various uses
 Land use planning
 Unaccounted for water (UFW)
33
Water Consumption Vision
90 million
Population
Consumption increase due to urbanization and
improved welfare
Water Demand
WD 2020
 1.3 ~ 1.5
WD 2005
We need 30 bcm more water
34
How We Can Prepare More
Fresh Water in Future
Improvement Water efficiency
Increasing the Storage Capacity
Modern Water Harvest Methods
Water & Wastewater Recycle
35
DROUGHTS: GLOBAL MAPPING
Drought Prone Regions:
36
Probability that annual rainfall falls below 75% of the long-term mean rainfall
DROUGHT WORK IN IRAN: meteorological analyses
Mapping Drought Characteristics
37
4. Recent Approaches in Water Policies
38
4. Recent Approaches and Water Policies
In order to solve the challenges Iran has
developed some important and strategic plans
which are as follow:
Promotion of Private Investment in Water Projects
Long-Term Development Strategies for Iran's Water
Resources
Creation of Water Related Councils
Strengthening Scientific and Practical Skills and Potentials
Promotion of sustainable development and environmental
views in water resources management
The 5th Development Program of the Country-Water Sector
39
Conclusion
In order to reduce the disadvantages we
need to follow our solution methods based
on national integrated water resources
management within the body of our
government as a whole and through public
participation, support of NGOs and
international organizations.
40
Goals
A comprehensive study( Master plan )of how to adopt and
accommodate the “Socio-economic development plans”
contents particularly water related sectors with arid and semi
arid climate; Through country’s 30 river basins integrated
water resources management ( IWRM )
Establishment of a long term balanced between water supply
and water demand, and among the use sectors and
stakeholders in each river basin.
Hope to specify the real obstacles and problems and find the
way of solutions.
41
Dimensions & Expected Outcomes
Supply
Institutional
Demand
Management
&
Management
Structural
42
Sustainable Exploitation From the Natural Resources
and Environment in the basis of Integrated Water
Resources Management (IWRM)

Coexisting between human and environment in
harmony for a better welfare
Sustainable Development of Hydro Projects
IWRM
Environmental Considerations of projects
43
How to Reach?
The long-term development strategies are on
the basis of IWRM deserve to respond:
• Economic efficiency
• Water for food and social security
• Water for environment and sustainable development
In addition to executing development plans & supplying
water through dams construction, considerations of IWRM,
EIA and sustainable development should be taken into 44
attention.
Long-term Development Strategy
Some important points :
Macro management
Water management must be based on:
supply and demand management
integrated consideration of water cycle
principles of sustainable development
land use planning in national and trans-boundary basins
to realize water resources integrated management, various
economic, social, infrastructural and service sectors must be
coordinated with water sector.
45
Long-term Development Strategy
Some important points :
Water Resources Management
The utilization of Iran’s water resources in each basin
must be planned in such a way that the volume of the
utilized underground water does not exceed the present
utilized volume considering their tolerance.
Therefore, structural and nonstructural actions must be
taken to meet people’s new demands to the extent that the
utilized share of surface water resources increases from
the present 46 percent to 55 percent within the coming 20
years and meets the need of natural environment.
46
Long-term Development Strategy
Some important points :
Demand Management
The water consumption pattern in Iran must be performed
in such a way that the agricultural water consumption
share will be reduced from the present 92 percent to 87
percent by the coming 20 years while doubling water
consumption efficiency of 1 m3 by enhancing irrigation
efficiency and allocating to more economically valuable
crops.
New water allocation priorities will be drinking and
environment, industry and service, and gardening and
agriculture respectively.
47
Long-term Development Strategy
Some important points :
Economic Value
Iran water management must consider the economic
value of water, including its intrinsic value in every
basin and the value of investment in supplying,
transferring, distributing and recycling water to be
consumed in various sectors.
48
Long-term Development Strategy
Some important points :
Quality control
The management of the activities of various water
consumers must be applied in such a way to control
water pollution resulting from the consumers activities
and develop water quality gradually. Water consumers
have to consider the national standards of water
resources quality conservation and sewage disposal
system to achieve this goal.
49
Thank you for your attention
50