Iranian Officials Plan Major Water Cuts For Tehran Amid Drought Crisis – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Report on Tehran’s Water Crisis and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction: A Challenge to SDG 6 and SDG 11

Tehran is confronting a severe water crisis, with officials warning of imminent cuts to drinking water supplies. This situation presents a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and threatens the viability of the capital, impacting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The crisis has reached a critical point, with President Masud Pezeshkian noting the potential need for evacuation if conditions deteriorate further, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable water management.

Key Factors Contributing to the Crisis

The water shortage is a multifaceted problem stemming from both environmental pressures and management inefficiencies, undermining several SDGs.

• Climatic Pressures and SDG 13: A primary cause is a severe, five-year drought and reduced rainfall, underscoring the regional impacts of climate change and the need for robust climate action as outlined in SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• Unsustainable Resource Extraction (SDG 6): There is an excessive reliance on non-renewable water sources. Reza Hajikarim, head of the Iranian Water Industry Federation, reported that 62 percent of Tehran’s water is supplied from underground aquifers, which have seen significant level drops. This over-extraction contravenes the principles of sustainable water management central to SDG 6.
• Inefficient Management and Consumption (SDG 2 & SDG 6): Experts identify years of waste and inefficient water management, especially within the agricultural sector, as a major contributing factor. This inefficiency not only wastes a scarce resource, impacting SDG 6, but also threatens food security, which is a core component of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Official Responses and Proposed Mitigation Measures

In response to the escalating crisis, Iranian officials have outlined several measures aimed at managing the remaining water resources.

1. Implementation of Water Rationing: Energy Minister Abbas Ali Abadi has indicated that water rationing will be implemented in some districts of Tehran. This measure is intended to curb waste and manage demand, though it may cause public inconvenience.
2. Mandatory Consumption Reduction: Issa Bozorgzadeh, a spokesman for the water industry, has stated that restrictions are now necessary. A mandatory 10 percent reduction in consumption is required to prevent a certain disruption to Tehran’s sustainable water supply, directly linking consumption patterns to the stability targeted by SDG 6.
3. Urgency of Action: The delayed response has been criticized, with officials like Reza Hajikarim stating that rationing measures should have been initiated much earlier to protect the depleted aquifers.

Conclusion: The Path Towards Water Security and SDG Attainment

Tehran’s water crisis is a critical test of the region’s ability to implement sustainable resource management strategies. The situation highlights the interconnectedness of the Sustainable Development Goals, where failures in water management (SDG 6) and climate adaptation (SDG 13) directly threaten urban sustainability (SDG 11) and food systems (SDG 2). Achieving long-term water security will require immediate conservation measures combined with a fundamental shift towards efficient and sustainable water management practices across all sectors.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Iran’s water crisis directly addresses or connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs identified are:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most central SDG, as the article’s main theme is the deepening water crisis, threats to drinking water supplies, water rationing, and the management of water resources in Tehran.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The crisis is specifically located in Tehran, the capital city. The discussion about the potential evacuation of the city, ensuring a “sustainable water supply,” and managing urban resources directly relates to making cities resilient and sustainable.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly states that the water crisis stems from “reduced rainfall and a drought that is now in its fifth year,” which are climate-related hazards. This links the local crisis to broader issues of climate change and the need for adaptation and resilience.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
  • The warning of “cuts to drinking supplies for parts of Tehran” and the implementation of “water rationing” directly challenge the goal of ensuring universal and reliable access to safe drinking water for the city’s inhabitants.
• Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
  • The article highlights the need for this target by mentioning “excessive reliance on aquifers” and “years of waste and inefficient management, especially in agriculture.” The call for a “10 percent” reduction in consumption and the fact that “62 percent of Tehran’s water is supplied from underground sources” whose levels have dropped, underscore the urgency of sustainable withdrawals and increased efficiency.
• Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters.
  • The water crisis is presented as a disaster with severe consequences. The statement that the “capital might have to be evacuated if the situation continues to worsen” directly relates to the goal of reducing the number of people affected by such a water-related disaster.
• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
  • The article identifies a “yearslong drought” as a primary cause of the crisis. The government’s response, including rationing, is an attempt to adapt to this climate-related hazard, highlighting the country’s struggle to strengthen its resilience.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several pieces of information that can serve as direct or implied indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator for Target 6.4 (Level of water stress): The statement that “62 percent of Tehran’s water is supplied from underground sources, and the level of these aquifers has dropped” is a direct indicator of high water stress and unsustainable freshwater withdrawal.
• Indicator for Target 6.4 (Change in water-use efficiency): The call to reduce consumption by “10 percent” to ensure a “sustainable water supply” serves as a specific, measurable target for improving water-use efficiency in the short term. The mention of “inefficient management, especially in agriculture” implies that tracking water efficiency in the agricultural sector would be a key indicator.
• Indicator for Target 11.5 (Number of people affected by disasters): The potential need to evacuate Tehran provides a stark, albeit potential, indicator of the number of people who could be affected by this water-related disaster. The implementation of “rotating” water rationing in certain districts is a direct measure of the population currently affected.
• Indicator for Target 13.1 (Existence of national and local disaster risk reduction strategies): The fact that a drought has been ongoing for “five years” and has led to a crisis point suggests a potential lack of long-term, effective strategies. The current measures, such as rationing, can be seen as reactive policies, and their success or failure would be an indicator of the country’s adaptive capacity.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: rferl.org