IFP- �Despite all regulations against illegal consumption of well water, two-thirds of water supply is still harvested from wells,� noted Hamid Chitchian, the Energy Minister of Iran, according to a Farsi report by ICANA.

�If we continue to suck up the groundwater like this, someday we will run out of it and no more groundwater will be left in deserts. Gradual disappearance of Lake Urmia [in northwestern Iran] gives us a good example.�

He went on to say that Iranian government is responsible for coping with water crisis, conserving environmental waters, moderating the extraction of groundwater, and improving the energy efficiency.

�Due to the excessive harvest of groundwater resources, the government has plans to issue exploitation licences for wells and power them with electricity,� he added.