Tehran Nears ‘Day Zero’ as Drought Drains City’s Water Supply
Tehran faces a severe water crisis as a prolonged drought and extreme heat deplete reservoirs, forcing reduced water pressure and public holidays to conserve resources. The situation, worsened by groundwater depletion and mismanagement, threatens a “day zero” where the capital’s taps could run dry.
Tehran, Iran’s capital, teeters on the edge of a catastrophic water shortage as a relentless five-year drought, one of the worst in the nation’s history, depletes vital resources. Rainfall has plummeted over 40% below long-term averages in 2025, leaving dams supplying the city’s 16.8 million residents at just 21% capacity, according to the Tehran Regional Water Company. The Amir Kabir Dam, a primary water source, is nearly dry, with reserves at historic lows. Water pressure has been slashed by nearly half across 80% of Tehran’s households, leaving high-rise apartment dwellers with dry taps for hours daily. Last week, authorities declared a public holiday on July 23 to curb water and electricity use, and discussions are underway to extend this to a week, encouraging residents to leave the city temporarily to ease demand.
Professor Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, warned, “We are talking about a possible day zero in Tehran. We are facing this situation of no water and no electricity during extreme heat and on top of that, we are seeing wildfires here and there, dust storms, and so on.” He noted, “Surface water is not sufficient and Iran has been draining a lot of groundwater in many areas, so the groundwater level is low. If Tehran survives until the end of September then there is hope for avoiding day zero.” Excessive groundwater pumping, driven by agriculture’s 90% share of water consumption, has caused parts of Tehran to sink over 10 inches annually, exacerbating infrastructure strain.
Compounding the crisis, temperatures soared above 122°F in July, with a heat index reaching 149°F in some areas, fueling wildfires and dust storms. Iran’s energy minister, Abbas Aliabadi, expressed hope to avoid rationing, stating, “I hope this does not happen.” However, President Masoud Pezeshkian warned, “If we do not make urgent decisions today, we will face a situation in the future that cannot be solved.” U.S.-led sanctions limit desalination and wastewater recycling efforts, while water transfer projects offer only temporary relief. Social media on X reflects public frustration, with one user noting, “Tehran’s water crisis is a disaster years in the making, mismanagement and drought are crushing us.”