“Close to 100 kilometers of decrepit pipelines, some reportedly over 30 years old, have been rehabilitated and the rest are being renovated,” Behnam Moridi was quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry’s news portal Sunday.
Metal pipes, most of which are old, leaky and rusty, are being replaced with high density polyethylene tubes, he said, noting that the project needs at least five years to be completed (mostly due to financial constraints).
Referring to the city’s second wastewater plant, he said that the $45 million project is underway with the help of a Chinese firm. He did not provide details, but noted that upon completion, the plant will treat 100,000 cubic meters of wastewater a day, according to Financial Tribune.
“The length of wastewater network in the city is close to 2,300 kilometers and was extended by another 35 km in the last eight months.”
Ahvaz has 185 pumping stations that send untreated water to the city’s sole wastewater plant.
The oil city is deprived of infrastructure that can collect surface water, so as soon as precipitation level surpasses 10 millimeters, rain water penetrates into the underground wastewater network causing extensive damage.
In addition to meeting a part of the water requirement for farming and industries, treatment plants also help preserve the environment.
Collecting wastewater is key to protecting the environment because if it is not channeled into the network it contaminates clean underground water.
Due to declining rainfall and rising water consumption, conservationists and experts have called for greater attention to collecting, treating and recycling water.
Energy Ministry data show that over 7.5 billion cubic meters of usable water is produced annually of which 4.3 bcm is wasted and less than 25% of wastewater is recycled.