Iranian officials have pledged to resolve water scarcity and increased salinity of municipal water in the southwestern province of Khuzestan by July 6.
Abadan-Khorramshahr water project (photo by Islamic Republic News Agency) Unfounded rumors circulating about water transfer from Karun River in Khuzestan to neighboring countries provided more grounds for the demonstrations.
The rumor was categorically denied by Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian (read related article by Ghanoon daily).
The minister further pledged to resolve the water-related issues by July 6 within the framework of a water project called Ghadir.
Abdollah Sameri, the Khorramshahr representative to the Majlis (parliament), told Mehr news agency that broken water pipes in Hoveyzeh had disrupted treated water flow to the cities of Khorramshahr and Abadan.
Sameri blamed unsustainable agricultural practices for depleting water resources in the area.
He also counted the Persian Gulf sea level rise responsible for affecting freshwater quality, saying it has increased the salinity of coastal the rivers Karun and Arvand.
In the meantime, Khuzestan Governor-General Gholamreza Shariati said that people had been provided with bottled water for drinking over the past few days.
Read related article by Ghanoon daily Deputy Governor-General Faramand Hashemizadeh also explained that there is hope to solve the problem of water salinity by July 6 by transferring water from the Dez Dam to the Karkheh Dam.
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