Obstacles and Opportunities for Iran’s Wastewater Sector Development

Economic and population growth combined with increasing water scarcity necessitate reliable water and wastewater infrastructure systems in Iran. Using a combination of expert interviews and a constellation analysis, the condition of Iran’s wastewater sector was investigated in order to illustrate the main problem areas, understand the interplay of problem factors and identify promising approaches for overcoming the main obstacles. The main problem areas involve organizational, legal and management deficiencies, a lack of financial means and the status of, and approach to, water resources. A reorganization of decision-making, water governance and responsibilities could lead towards sustainable wastewater management. This would involve stronger decentralization of the water sector whilst improving cooperation between governmental levels, greater legal, political managerial and financial autonomy of water and wastewater companies and the promotion of private sector participation.