TEHRAN — Water costs 22 times more for extravagant users, said Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian in an interview with Arman Persian-language daily newspaper.

In answer to the question of how the ministry would deal with extravagant users particularly in the time of water shortage Chitchian noted that currently there is no penalty for those who use water excessively.

“Despite the ministry’s persistence we are not allowed to cut the water flow of the excessive users as it is claimed that water is a civil right and citizens cannot be deprived of this right,” he explained.         

However, the price of water has been approved to  be calculated based on step tariff, he said, adding, “for instance someone who uses over 50 cubic meters of water over a month should pay 22 times more than someone who uses 10 to 15 cubic meters of water on average.”

Inquiring about groundwater depletion caused by groundwater sustained pumping over years Chitchian said that the decline has started since 1960s and continued as the population kept on growing.

Water consumption for agricultural purpose during periods of drought has worsened the situation, he noted.

MQ