TEHRAN, Iran, Nov.5
Trend:
Iran has launched the first phase of national water transfer plan from the Persian Gulf to dry regions, said Iran's Energy Minister.
"Total of 26 billion cubic meters salty water from the Persian Gulf has assigned to Hormozgan, Bushehr, Sistan and Baluchestan provinces that would be used in cooling towers in power plants, fish farming, and other purposes," said Reza Ardakanian, Trend reports citing IRNA.
"From the following 26 billion cubic meters about 13 billion cubic meters water is currently being operated that has not completed the desalination. The government succeeded to transfer water from the Persian Gulf to 17 provinces in the country that have annual consumption of 60 billion cubic meters" he added.
Ardakanian went on to say that the project would transfer 450 million cubic meters of water to industries and private sector alongside 250 million cubic meters of sweetened water for drinking in Hormozgan Province and industrial consumption in Yazd and Kerman.
"Producing of one ton of steel would require 5 cubic meters of water that would cost €10, a total of 85 billion cubic meters water in the country's renewable resources is valued € 200 billion that is being used in various activities including industry. Furthermore, the water pipeline is 820 kilometers long alongside ten pumping station and water sweetening technology that would create Iran's access to seas in north and south of the country," he noted.
According to him, the following plan was the result of public and private sector participation. Additionally, he says that industries in Iran should be encouraged to use the seawater instead of the drinking water.
"Similar plans are ongoing and water has been assigned to South Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, Fars, Semnan, Sistan and Baluchestan provinces alongside 17 provinces in center of the country that would operate," he added.