Iranian water shortages are caused by a combination of factors including climate change, poor resource management, inefficient agriculture, and over-exploitation of groundwater. Key issues include unsustainable dam construction projects that disrupt natural water systems, a heavy reliance on water-intensive crops, and a lack of adequate water conservation policies and awareness.  

Environmental factors

• Climate change: 

  Climate change has led to increased temperatures, reduced rainfall, and more frequent and severe droughts, worsening existing water scarcity.
• Uneven distribution: 

  Iran has an uneven distribution of water resources, with high variability between different regions and over time. 

Management and agricultural factors

• Inefficient agriculture: 

  Agriculture consumes about 90% of Iran's water, often through inefficient methods and the cultivation of water-thirsty crops like wheat and rice in arid areas. 
• Dam construction: 

  A large number of dams have been built, disrupting natural river systems and often without proper environmental assessments, leading to low water levels in many reservoirs. 
• Groundwater over-exploitation: 

  There is unchecked and unsustainable extraction of groundwater, with many farmers digging deeper wells as water levels fall. 
• Government policies: 

  Subsidies for water and energy have discouraged efficiency, while some politically driven projects have exacerbated the problem. 

Social and political factors

• Lack of awareness: 

  A general lack of public awareness regarding water conservation contributes to inefficient water use. 
• Corruption: 

  Some sources point to political corruption and powerful groups benefiting from unsustainable projects as a factor in the crisis. 

gemini