Reports from Tehran indicate that residents in various parts of the capital have been experiencing water pressure drops and outages for several days. In some areas, the pressure is so low that only the ground floors of buildings can access running water during certain hours.
In recent days, in addition to citizens, several journalists have also reported on Persian-language social media about the severe water pressure drop in different parts of Tehran, with some areas facing complete water shortages.
Several journalists have also criticized the lack of media coverage on this crisis and questioned whether a directive has been issued to media managers preventing them from covering the situation.
Meanwhile, on Monday, March 3 (13 Esfand 1403), Mohsen Ardakani, the CEO of Tehran’s Water and Wastewater Company, claimed that the water distribution and supply network is “completely stable” and that there is no cause for concern.
However, two days earlier, Hessam Khosravi, deputy director of Tehran’s Water and Wastewater Company, had stated that due to “increasing water resource shortages and the inability to compensate for them, we are forced to regulate the city’s water pressure”.
This contradiction in official statements has raised concerns about the true state of Tehran’s water resources, leading many to believe that the water crisis in the capital is more serious than authorities are admitting.
This regime’s official also stated that Tehran’s water pressure has been adjusted to control consumption in such a way that water pressure is only available up to the second floor.
Some social media users have reported that despite experiencing these conditions for nearly five days, the response from relevant authorities, including Tehran’s water department, to their inquiries has been: “We don’t know, go buy a pump and a water tank.”
According to a report by Tehran’s Water and Wastewater Company, this year’s rainfall has been 46% lower than average years and 25% less than last year. Currently, the water reserves of Tehran’s five main dams are only at about 6% capacity.
Similarly, the Regional Water Company of Alborz Province has confirmed that only 8% of the Karaj Dam is currently filled, marking a 55% decrease compared to the same time last year—essentially leaving the Karaj Dam reservoir nearly empty.
However, reports indicate that the Taleqan Dam’s water reserves are in a better state than the Karaj Dam, with 50% of its capacity currently filled.
Water shortages are an issue across almost all of Iran. According to official statistics, as of January, every province except Gilan, Mazandaran, and Khorasan Razavi has experienced reduced rainfall, ranging from 1% to 88% below normal levels.
