Yazd Rural Water Infrastructure Expanding

EghtesadOnline: Yazd rural water supply network is expanding as close to 72,000 residents in 135 small towns around the province have been provided water during the past six months, managing director of the provincial Water and Wastewater Company said Saturday.

News ID: ۷۴۷۵۷۱

16 June 2019

"Nine water projects were undertaken in the region in the period and two more are being developed," Mohammad Fatehi was quoted as saying by Paven, the Energy Ministry's news portal.

Seven water supply complexes have become operational so far and three water storage units have been built in Saduq, Mehriz and Abarkouh counties.

Tanker trucks were used to transport and distribute water in the villages of the counties, according to Financial Tribune.

More homes are expected to be provided with stable water supplies by March 2020 for which 5 storage facilities are being constructed. Moreover, 83 kilometers of water pipelines are being laid.

According to the news agency, plans are aimed at providing rural people with sufficient, affordable and safe water.

Yazd Province has a population of 1.13 million, 15% of which live in rural areas. It is one of Iran's known centers for textiles and famous also for factories making ceramics and construction material.

It has huge potential for photovoltaic power with more than 330 sunny days per year. It is situated between two deserts -- Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.

Yazd is the driest major city in Iran and the hottest city north of the Persian Gulf, with summer temperatures above 40 degrees centigrade with blistering heart and no humidity.

In winter days are mild and sunny, but in the morning thin air and low cloudiness cause cold temperatures that can fall below zero.

Access to drinking water is a major concern throughout the world.

Health risks arise from consumption of water contaminated with pollutants or harmful chemicals that can transmit diseases such as diarrhea and polio.

Iran’s urban population has access to piped water as do 75% of rural inhabitants -- the latter is expected to reach 81% by 2021.

An estimated 2.4 billion people in the world have access to water through other improved sources including public taps, protected wells and boreholes, according to the World Health Organization.

But at least 1.8 billion people use a drinking-water source with fecal contamination.