Tehran Faces Grave Water Crisis: 85% of Reservoirs Empty, Wells at Risk

Tehran Province is facing one of its most critical water crises, with 85% of its reservoirs reportedly empty and 70% of its wells at risk of drying up. Multiple reports and official statements indicate that a convergence of diminishing rainfall, overexploitation of groundwater, and rising demand has pushed the region to the brink of a severe water shortage. Experts warn that if current trends continue, Iran’s capital may soon confront a full-blown water emergency.

Tehran’s five principal dams—Latian, Mamloo, Lar, Taleqan, and Amirkabir—collectively stand at around 15% of their total capacity. The Lar Dam, which supplies a significant portion of eastern Tehran, is reportedly down to 7% of its capacity, while Mamloo Dam, a key source for the capital’s southern districts, holds only 14% of its usual reserves. These alarming figures highlight the dire state of surface-water resources critical to both drinking water and agricultural irrigation. In recent weeks, residents in areas such as Damavand and Firuzkuh have begun relying on water tankers for their drinking supply, and 40% of farmland in eastern counties remains unused due to insufficient irrigation.

Officials from the Tehran Water and Wastewater Company report that 70% of the city’s wells are on the verge of drying up. Excessive pumping from underground aquifers and severe reductions in rainfall have depleted these wells at an unsustainable rate. If this continues, experts predict that Tehran could face catastrophic water shortages within five years.

Local and national authorities have identified three main factors contributing to the crisis. The first is reduced rainfall, with precipitation in Tehran falling by up to 40% relative to the long-term average, marking the lowest levels in 57 years. The second involves aging infrastructure and poor management, including 30% leakage in water networks and a lack of effective water-recycling initiatives. The third factor is high consumption, as water use in Tehran averages 250 liters per person per day, nearly double the global standard of 130 liters. This overuse is especially noticeable before Nowruz, when demand has spiked by 20%, exceeding 48,000 liters per second.

Tehran’s provincial government and national policymakers have proposed measures to mitigate the emergency, such as diverting water from Lar Dam and Taleqan Dam, repairing leaky pipelines, and boosting public-awareness campaigns. Longer-term ideas include transferring water from distant sources like the Sea of Oman, though experts caution that such projects would only address about 10% of the capital’s shortfall. They stress the need for modernizing outdated infrastructure, enforcing regulations against illegal well drilling, and adopting more water-efficient agricultural and industrial practices.

Authorities say they can ensure a basic water supply in the immediate future, but many specialists remain concerned that Tehran could face a 500-million-cubic-meter shortfall by 2030, imperiling the city’s food production and economic stability. The Ministry of Energy notes that inflows to dams nationwide have dropped by 31% over the past year, while eight provinces report over 50% less rainfall. Rural development experts add that continuing to expand water-intensive farming and livestock in the country’s arid and semi-arid regions is unsustainable, warning of escalating water conflicts across Iran if current practices remain unchanged. Without a concerted effort to modernize infrastructure, rein in unregulated water extraction, and shift consumption habits, Tehran—and much of Iran—risks spiraling into an unprecedented water emergency.