Water Resource Expert Urges Community-Led Management to Combat Iran's Aquifer Depletion

TEHRAN, Oct 19 (OPA) — Iran’s agricultural plains face a deepening ecological crisis driven by the over-extraction of groundwater resources. A senior water resources expert stated that restoring the ecological balance of these regions requires a shift toward decentralized management, specifically by involving local water users in the decision-making process.

According to the expert, current legislative frameworks contain underutilized provisions that could effectively regulate aquifer usage. By activating these legal mechanisms, authorities could better monitor extraction rates and mitigate the environmental degradation currently threatening the country’s plains.

Groundwater depletion has become a primary driver of land subsidence and soil degradation across Iran. The expert argued that top-down policies have historically failed to account for the specific needs of local agricultural sectors, leading to widespread non-compliance with existing water usage regulations.

Future efforts to stabilize these regions must prioritize the active participation of farmers and local stakeholders. Integrating these groups into the management structure is presented as a necessary step to curb illegal drilling and ensure the long-term viability of Iran’s water-stressed aquifers.