Water crisis in Iran: Its intensity, causes and confronting strategies

Abstract

Objectives: This investigation was done in order to study Iran's water crisis intensity as well as its causes and also to propose some solution to confront and mitigate this crisis. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This research was carried out as a documentary and library research using Grounded Theory Method. Also 3 famous and common water crisis indexes were used in order to assess Iran's water crisis. Findings: Results of all investigated indexes showed and confirmed that Iran is in intense water stress condition. Among the factors causing and intensifying this crisis the most important factors are: Irregular water consumption and increasing demand for water along with limited water resources and consequently water supply-demand imbalance; Rapid urbanization along with population growth and its unsuitable geographical distribution across the country; Iran's geographical and climatic condition as a country in arid and semi-arid region of the world; Mismanagement of water resources; Improper development of agriculture section along with unsuitable cropping pattern in agriculture. Application/Improvement: some exit strategies in two categories of short-term and long-term solutions are presented at the end in order to confront water crisis condition of Iran.