Amirhossein Khodaei – Researcher

 

Executive, Localized and Scalable Solutions at the National Level (Part One)

Today, the water shortage crisis in Iran has become a widespread and serious reality affecting various aspects of life, the economy, and the environment. Unsustainable water consumption in the agricultural, industrial, and urban sectors places enormous pressure on the country’s limited water resources and poses a serious threat to biological security, economic development, and public welfare. Therefore, sustainable water management requires a comprehensive, localized, and practical approach that, through the use of modern technologies, the participation of all stakeholders, and observance of equity in resource distribution, can ensure optimal consumption and the preservation of water resources across all sectors. Only through coordination among policymakers, the private sector, scientific institutions, and the public can we hope for a sustainable future for the country’s water supply.

Practical Water-Saving Solutions and Their Impact

Dams, Reservoirs, and Rivers:

The use of floating covers and anti-evaporation balls can save approximately 25 to 30 percent of water consumption. Chemical anti-evaporation coatings can reduce consumption by up to 20 to 40 percent. Planting trees and vegetation around reservoirs and rivers, by reducing evaporation, can generate savings of between 10 and 20 percent. Windbreaks can also prevent 10 to 15 percent of water evaporation by reducing wind speed. Reservoir water-level management and intelligent control of dam outflows can each contribute up to 20 to 25 percent to reducing consumption. Nanobubble technology can also achieve up to 15 percent savings through its effect on reducing indirect evaporation.

Wetlands, Marshes, and Hauras:

Restoring wetlands and creating artificial wetlands can contribute 25 to 40 percent to preserving water resources. Nanobubble technology for improving wetland water quality can also generate 15 to 30 percent savings.

Qanats (Traditional and Mechanized):

Rehabilitation of traditional qanats can reduce water consumption by 20 to 40 percent. Mechanized qanats equipped with low-consumption pumps and intelligent monitoring systems can achieve 30 to 50 percent savings. The use of nanobubble technology in irrigation through qanats can also contribute approximately 25 percent.

Agriculture, Horticulture, and Greenhouses:

By optimizing irrigation timing and using mulch, 20 to 40 percent of water can be saved. Smart drip irrigation can reduce consumption by 50 to 70 percent, while modern greenhouses with moisture recycling can reduce water consumption by 60 to 80 percent. Hydroponic and aquaponic systems can save up to 95 percent of water consumption. Nanobubble technology in agricultural irrigation can also be effective by up to 30 percent.

Industries and Modern Technologies:

Water recycling in factories can reduce consumption by 50 to 70 percent. The use of dry cooling towers can save up to 60 percent, while nanotechnology in industrial water treatment can generate savings of between 40 and 80 percent. Nanobubble technology in cooling systems and the installation of smart meters can contribute up to 30 percent each.

Residential and Urban Units:

Low-consumption faucets can reduce water consumption by 20 to 35 percent. Rainwater harvesting with storage tanks can provide 20 to 40 percent savings. The use of greywater (less polluted water) can reduce freshwater consumption by 30 to 50 percent. Installing smart household water meters and using nanobubble technology in domestic water treatment can contribute 20 to 30 percent and up to 20 percent, respectively.

Wastewater Treatment and Recycling:

Local wastewater treatment and its use in green spaces and industry can result in 50 to 80 percent savings. The use of treated wastewater in agriculture can also reduce drinking-water consumption by 60 to 85 percent.

Watershed Management:

Constructing earthen and stone check dams in watershed management operations can prevent 20 to 40 percent of water loss. Planting drought-resistant vegetation and afforestation can generate 15 to 30 percent savings. Constructing small storage reservoirs and local water catchments can reduce consumption by 25 to 45 percent. Nanobubble technology and intelligent control of runoff water can also be effective by up to 35 percent.

Climate and Geographical Adaptation:

In desert regions, mulching and nighttime irrigation can save 40 to 60 percent of water. In mountainous areas, runoff control and construction of earthen check dams can reduce consumption by 20 to 45 percent. Forested areas can contribute 15 to 30 percent savings by preserving vegetation cover. In coastal and marine areas, the use of solar desalination and wave energy can enable reductions in consumption of up to 70 percent.

The Impact of Desertification Control on the Water Crisis:

Combating desertification, by increasing groundwater infiltration by up to 30 percent, reducing evaporation and soil erosion by 20 to 40 percent, and improving precipitation and climate balance by 10 to 15 percent, can generally contribute 20 to 40 percent to reducing the water crisis.

Key Mechanized Technologies:

Smart drip irrigation contributes 50 to 70 percent, smart water meters 15 to 30 percent, soil-moisture sensors and remote control 30 to 50 percent, nanobubble technology 15 to 30 percent, and seed-sowing drones and thermal mapping 10 to 25 percent to improving water consumption. Natural and artificial floating covers on dams and reservoirs can also provide savings of up to 40 percent.

Shared Drinking and Agricultural Water Consumption:

Precise water-quality management and the use of treated wastewater in agriculture can reduce drinking-water consumption by 60 to 85 percent. Installing smart meters in agricultural water networks can also generate 20 to 30 percent savings.

Direct and Key Solutions for Saving Water in Agriculture

The agricultural sector accounts for approximately 93 percent of water consumption in Iran, most of which takes place through traditional and flood-irrigation methods. This is the main cause of excessive and significant water wastage.

The priority should be agricultural irrigation that relies on sources shared with drinking water.

Flood irrigation not only wastes water but also reduces consumption efficiency and causes environmental problems.

One of the major challenges is the existence of agricultural land without ownership documents, which prevents investment and the use of modern technologies. Facilitating the issuance of ownership documents, particularly by requiring the mechanization of irrigation at the time of transfer and issuance of the document, can provide an incentive to improve water consumption.

Effective practical solutions include the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, installation of smart meters for accurate monitoring of water consumption and increased efficiency, and training farmers in optimal water management. Governmental and legal support for the development of mechanization and reduction of excessive water consumption in agriculture also plays a key role.

Reducing Water Consumption in High-Water-Use Crops Without Eliminating Cultivation

Under conditions of limited water resources, the appropriate solution for high-water-use crops is not their prohibition or elimination, but rather reducing water consumption while preserving farmers’ profitability. Crops such as rice, watermelon, and sugarcane have raised concerns regarding water consumption in some regions with limited resources; however, the reality is that if they are cultivated using modern and managed methods, they can remain profitable while consuming less water.

The use of modern irrigation methods such as drip irrigation or smart crop rotation, improving seeds to require less water, precise irrigation scheduling, and selecting land with higher water productivity are among the methods that make continued cultivation of these crops possible. The development of contract farming and guaranteed purchasing can also preserve farmers’ economic security and create incentives to reduce water consumption without eliminating the crop.

Instead of restrictive approaches and prohibitions, it is better to guide farmers toward optimal consumption through training, technical support, equipment provision, and financial facilities. This approach both respects water resources and preserves farmers’ livelihoods.

Water-Saving Methods in the Soil Mixture Adjacent to the Root Zone

Use of Mulch (Soil Surface Cover):

Applying mulch (straw, leaves, biodegradable plastic, etc.) to the soil reduces water evaporation from the surface, moderates soil temperature, and preserves moisture around the roots.

Use of Moisture-Retaining Materials (Superabsorbents):

These materials store excess moisture and return it to the roots when needed. They are highly suitable for water-scarce regions.

Improving Soil Texture with Organic Materials:

Adding compost, well-rotted animal manure, or other organic materials increases the water-holding capacity around the roots and prevents water loss.

Dense and Shaded Crops:

Using planting patterns in which leaf shade prevents excessive evaporation of water around the roots helps preserve more moisture.

Root-Zone Drip Irrigation:

Delivering water precisely to the root zone through drip or subsurface irrigation reduces evaporation and enables optimal use of water.

Reducing Irrigation Frequency with Greater Depth:

Deep irrigation at longer intervals promotes deeper root development and better use of moisture within the soil.

These methods, when used together, can result in significant savings in agricultural water consumption without harming plant health.

Practical Requirements in Agriculture and Effective Supervision Through the Capacity of Specialized Institutions

For sustainable management of water resources and the proper development of agriculture, technical and legal requirements in agriculture must be monitored accurately and in the field. This is not possible without effective supervision and full use of the capacity of specialized institutions.

Establishing Technical Requirements Before Starting Agricultural Activities:

Before beginning, every agricultural project must have its irrigation plan, method of water consumption, farming method (traditional or mechanized), and level of exploitation of water resources approved by experts from the relevant authorities. At this stage, the presence of three key institutions is essential:

• Experts from the Water and Wastewater Company to assess the possibility of water supply and the type of source (surface, groundwater, or treated water)
• Experts from the Agricultural Jihad Organization to approve the cropping pattern, productivity, mechanization of methods, and suitability of the crop to the regional climate
• Experts from the Natural Resources and Environment authorities to prevent damage to the environment, soil resources, vegetation, and wetlands

Requiring Approval of the Plan by Relevant Institutions for Issuance of Permits and Ownership Documents:

From now on, any issuance of documents for agricultural land or transfer of ownership must be conditional upon approval of the mechanized plan and water supply by the above-mentioned institutions. This condition should be incorporated as an executive regulation into registration systems so that transfer or issuance of documents cannot take place without expert approval.

Periodic and Systematic Monitoring:

After activities begin, a system should be designed for continuous monitoring of farm performance, including:

• Periodic recording of water-consumption data through smart meters
• Field inspections by supervisors from the Agricultural Jihad Organization and the Water and Wastewater Company
• Uploading performance reports to the provincial agricultural system

Facilitation of Licensing and Service Provision:

The approval and licensing process should not become an obstacle for farmers. An integrated system with representatives from all responsible institutions should be established so that farmers can obtain the required approvals through a single visit. This system can operate either in person or through a virtual and online platform.

Incentives and Penalties:

Alongside supervision, incentives such as bank facilities, subsidies for purchasing modern irrigation equipment, and tax discounts should be considered for farmers who comply with the requirements. Conversely, specific fines or temporary suspension of water and electricity services should be applied to operators who violate the rules.

This simple but precise implementation model benefits farmers by reducing costs and increasing productivity through multiple cropping cycles, while also benefiting natural resources and the country’s food security.

Benefits of Soilless Agriculture (Hydroponics)

Soilless agriculture, or hydroponics, is a modern and highly efficient method of agricultural production in which plants grow without soil and using nutrient solutions. This method has numerous advantages, including:

Significant water savings: Water consumption in soilless agriculture is 70 to 90 percent lower than in traditional agriculture because water is used in a closed and recyclable system.

Rapid return on investment and high profitability: Due to higher productivity, reduced labor and land costs, and the possibility of production in limited spaces, the profitability of this type of agriculture is very high.

Optimal use of space and resources: The ability to cultivate in soilless environments, even in water-scarce and urban areas, without requiring large agricultural lands.

Reduced use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers: Precise control of the growing environment increases product health and reduces environmental pollution.

Soilless agriculture represents an important opportunity for sustainable development, increased water productivity, and the production of high-quality crops under conditions of limited water and soil resources.

Use of Saline Water; A New Opportunity for Agricultural Development and the Aquatic Economy

The use of saline water in arid regions or from the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf can be considered a new and sustainable approach to developing agriculture and related industries. Modern technologies for treating and managing saline water have made it possible to utilize these extensive resources and reduce water scarcity in coastal and arid regions.

Sturgeon farming is one successful example of using saline water which, in addition to creating employment, can generate substantial economic benefits. Halophyte agriculture (salt-tolerant plants) using saline water can also contribute to agricultural development on low-productivity lands. These include trees such as date palm, olive, willow, cedar, saxaul, certain pine species, pomegranate, almond, barberry, jujube, ash, maple, Russian olive, mangrove, and eucalyptus; and salt-tolerant crops such as improved varieties of wheat, barley, corn, certain tomato varieties, cotton, and sugar beet.

Turning the challenge of saline water into an opportunity not only improves the productivity of water resources, but also plays an effective role in preserving marine ecosystems and reducing pressure on freshwater resources.

Rehabilitation and Development of Mechanized Qanats; A Sustainable Solution for Groundwater and Agricultural Management

Given the extensive Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges, as well as mountains and highlands, rehabilitating existing qanats and creating mechanized qanats can play a key role in transferring groundwater from mountainous sources to water-scarce plains. Qanats make it possible to transfer water over tens of kilometers with little loss and, as sustainable traditional structures, contribute to the preservation and transfer of groundwater resources and the reduction of evaporation.

The advantages of mechanized qanats include optimal use of water resources, reduced dependence on costly energy, sustainable management of groundwater, and strengthening agriculture in arid regions. This method can be considered an effective solution for providing sustainable water for agriculture and human consumption.

Conclusion:

Saving water and improving agricultural productivity require a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Optimal use of the soil mixture adjacent to the root zone and precise management of high-water-use crops, without completely eliminating them, can significantly reduce water consumption while preserving farmers’ profitability. Rehabilitation of qanats, particularly mechanized qanats, plays an important role in providing sustainable water for agriculture.

Legal requirements for mechanizing irrigation and precise supervision in cooperation with relevant authorities are effective steps toward improving the water situation. Modern technologies such as the use of saline water in agriculture and the development of hydroponic systems provide new opportunities for sustainable production with lower water consumption, which can play a key role in the future of the country’s agriculture and in managing water-security risks.