Tehran, Iran’s capital and home to 10 million people, is only weeks away from “day zero,” the day when its taps could run completely dry, as vital reservoirs reach dangerously low levels, according to a CNN report.
A combination of poor water management and the effects of climate change is driving Iran’s escalating water crisis.
Decades of mismanagement and overconsumption
For years, Tehran’s water consumption has far exceeded its available supply. Around 70% of Tehran residents consume more than the standard 130 liters per day.
Experts say the current crisis stems from decades of poor water management. Excessive groundwater extraction to meet urban demand has caused parts of the city to sink by as much as 10 inches per year.
Amir AghaKouchak, professor of civil and environmental engineering and Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, described the situation as “water bankruptcy.”
Kaveh Madani, director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health and former deputy head of Iran’s Department of Environment, agrees that some of the damage from years of inefficient practices may now be irreversible.
Climate change intensifies the shortage
Climate change is worsening Iran’s water woes. The nation is suffering its fifth consecutive year of drought, the worst in recorded history. Temperatures are soaring to 122°F (50°C) across large parts of the country, while rainfall has dropped 40% below the long-term average. Reservoirs are now at just 21% of their total capacity.
Government measures to prevent “Day Zero”
To delay the looming crisis, authorities have cut water pressure by nearly half, affecting about 80% of households. Residents in multi-story buildings are particularly affected, as reduced pressure prevents water from reaching upper floors.
The city has resorted to using water tanks for distribution, while many residents are installing private water storage systems.
Officials are even considering granting a week-long holiday to encourage residents to leave Tehran, thereby temporarily reducing overall water demand.
To address long-term scarcity, the government is exploring solutions such as water transfer projects, desalination, wastewater recycling, and shifting to less water-intensive agriculture. The agricultural sector accounts for roughly 90% of Iran’s water consumption.
However, given Iran’s geopolitical challenges and limited resources, officials admit that implementing these measures will be difficult. For now, much of the country is hoping for autumn rains to replenish dams and groundwater supplies.
A regional example: Saudi Arabia’s water management success
In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s decisive approach to long-term water sustainability serves as a model for other arid nations.
An Arab News report highlights the country’s focus on the “three A’s”: availability, accessibility, and affordability of water.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in desalination and recycling infrastructure to meet future demand. Its current desalination capacity exceeds 12 million cubic meters per day, and it plans to reach 20 million m³/d by 2030 through the construction of new mega plants.
The country also treats and reuses wastewater on a large scale. Currently, around 6.5 million cubic meters of municipal wastewater are treated daily, covering roughly 65% of the population, with reuse levels expected to increase from 25% to 70% by 2030.
These plants will also integrate renewable energy to minimize costs and environmental impact. Experts say these initiatives are transforming Saudi Arabia’s water landscape and providing a roadmap for other arid regions.
From an infrastructure management perspective, long-term planning and investment will be vital as more of the world’s population migrates to cities and water demand continues to rise.
Sources:
Paddison, L. (2025, July 31). This city could run dry ‘within weeks’ as it grapples with an acute water crisis. CNN. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/31/climate/tehran-iran-water-crisis-day-zero
Iranian president says country is on brink of dire water crisis. (2025, July 31). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/iranian-president-says-country-is-brink-dire-water-crisis-2025-07-31/
Walid, R. (2025, June 7). Saudi Arabia leads bold transformation to tackle water scarcity. Arab News. Retrieved from https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603778/business-economy
Leave a Reply