Iran's capital, Tehran, dams have fallen to only 12% of their total capacity, Rokna reported on August 4.

This figure is the lowest ever compared to the usual seasonal average of 60–70%, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of water resources in the coming weeks. Earlier in July, statistics revealed that the dams supplying the capital were operating at just 14% of their capacity. 

The crisis is not confined to Tehran. Across the country, the 19 major reservoir dams vital for drinking water, agriculture, and industry are currently operating at less than 20% capacity. In stark terms, over 80% of Iran’s strategic water storage is now empty, according to the report.

Official statistics released on August 2 reveal that only 23.2bn cubic metres of water have entered the country’s dams this year, a sharp 42% decline from the 40.2bn cubic metres recorded at the same time last year. Meanwhile, dam water output has dropped by 21%, totalling 25.5bn cubic metres.

In response to the crisis, Tehran Municipality has launched a series of emergency measures. Davoud Goudarzi, Deputy of Urban Services, outlined a three-pronged strategy centred on technical review, wastewater irrigation and low-water planting.

A specialised working group has been formed to reassess Tehran’s water and wastewater systems, including groundwater usage, reservoir capacity, and treatment infrastructure, he explained to ISNA.

Also, despite initial resistance from the Water and Wastewater Company, the municipality has now prepared to use treated sewage to irrigate green spaces.

At the same time, efforts are underway to replace water-intensive plants with drought-resistant species. According to the official, knowledge-based firms have proposed alternatives that require up to seven times less water.

Goudarzi expressed cautious optimism, stating that Tehran’s existing resources, including surface water, subsurface reserves, and wastewater, could be leveraged to mitigate the crisis. He stressed that even the drinking water shortage could be resolved with coordinated action from the municipality, the Ministry of Energy, and private sector innovators.

A long-term plan aims to reach a wastewater capacity of 150mn cubic metres over the next decade. If current plumbing efforts succeed, 60mn cubic metres could be available imminently.

These measures, however, offer little immediate relief to the public, as the absence of effective drought management has already plunged the country into crisis.

In a controversial move, authorities have closed several public toilets in Tehran to conserve water. Photographs reveal a notice posted at one of the capital’s public toilets, announcing its closure due to water shortages and offering an apology for the inconvenience. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Energy has implemented a policy of reducing water pressure in residential areas. Many citizens report severe drops in pressure or complete water outages until midnight.

“We have no water all day. I have to wait until midnight to bathe,” said Tehran resident Parisa. “I’m so exhausted that even the smallest thing makes me cry.” She now pays for a private tanker and pump to get water to her apartment floor.

Dorsa shared that water is cut off just as she and her husband return home from work in the evening to eat and unwind. “It doesn’t come back until morning,” she said. Although their apartment has a storage tank, the water pressure is so low that it cannot refill quickly enough to meet their needs.

Yet, according to Tehran Water Company, domestic use accounts for only 9% of Iran’s total water consumption. Agriculture consumes nearly 90%, and within the domestic share, 22% of Tehran’s distributed water is lost due to leaks, illegal connections, and faulty meters.

Iran is pursuing costly desalination and water transfer projects to address agricultural water shortages. One such initiative involves piping desalinated water from the Sea of Oman to central farmlands.