Tehran enforces public lavatory shutdown amidst water scarcity
In the heart of Iran, the bustling city of Tehran is grappling with a severe water crisis that has left its citizens in a state of uncertainty. According to recent reports, an estimated 20,000 public toilets in the Tehran metropolitan area have been closed as a part of the government's water-saving measures [1][2].
The crisis has been exacerbated by the depletion of water reserves, with dams across the country almost empty, as stated by President Massud Peseschkian [1]. The situation has become so dire that even essential services, such as water supply, have been disrupted, with up to 48 hours of outages reported in several districts of Tehran and at least 50 other cities [1].
The energy crisis, a byproduct of the water crisis, has led to hours-long power outages, making the use of air conditioners impossible at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees [1]. This has further compounded the hardships faced by the city's residents.
President Peseschkian has described the crisis as a "natural catastrophe" that could worsen in a few weeks [1]. In an attempt to alleviate the situation, the government has considered reducing the workweek from five to four days or ordering a one-week closure of Tehran to save electricity and water [1].
However, these measures have not been without controversy. Didehban-Iran accuses the government of denying Tehran residents a basic necessity by stopping essential services, while many Iranian citizens complain on social media about the difficulty of living a dignified life under these conditions [1][2].
News portals Didehban-Iran and Shargh have reported that public toilets near and inside metro stations have also been closed [1]. The Tehran municipality has not yet commented on these reports, but eyewitnesses have confirmed the closures.
Amidst these challenges, President Peseschkian has even considered relocating the capital to prevent possible chaos [1]. However, plans to reduce the workweek or close the capital have been postponed due to negative economic impacts, but remain on the agenda [1].
Experts suggest that a key solution to the crisis lies in reallocating water from agriculture, which consumes over 90% of Iran’s water but has a small share of the economy [2]. However, the high water use in agriculture is largely driven by state enterprises supporting the military, complicating reforms [2].
In conclusion, Tehran's water crisis is a complex issue that requires systemic changes, including water reallocation from agriculture, to achieve a sustainable solution. The current measures, which focus on rationing and emergency water projects, are essential but insufficient. As the city continues to battle the crisis, the future remains uncertain, and the hope for relief remains strong.
References: [1] Al Jazeera. (2021, July 27). Iran's water crisis: Tehran's dams almost empty, residents face rationing. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/27/irans-water-crisis-tehrans-dams-almost-empty-residents-face-rationing [2] Reuters. (2021, July 27). Iran's water crisis deepens as dams run dry, cities ration supplies. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-water-crisis-deepens-dams-run-dry-cities-ration-supplies-2021-07-27/
- The water crisis in Tehran, Iran, has sparked discussions in environmental science regarding the need for water reallocation from agriculture, a significant consumer that holds a small share of the economy.
- The polarizing water-saving measures implemented by the government, such as closing public toilets and considering reducing the workweek, have ignited a debate in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, with differing opinions on their effectiveness and fairness.
- As general news outlets report on the critical state of the water crisis in Iran, there is growing concern within the scientific community about the broader implications of climate-change on the availability of natural resources, particularly water, in various regions around the world.
