Iranian Journal of Public Policy

Iranian Journal of Public Policy

Evaluation of the Policy of Prohibition of Inter-Basin Water Transfer for Non-Drinking Uses: A Governance Approach in the Contextual Interactions Theory

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Hamideh Baseri Baghsiyah 1
Mina Jame 2
1 PhD Student of Water Governance, Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD Student of Economic Governance, Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jppolicy.2026.107874
Abstract
Water issues are intertwined and include environmental, social, economic, and political dimensions. Research has shown that mismanagement of water resources plays a greater role than technical issues in causing water crises. Therefore, developing effective policies and laws in water resource management is of fundamental importance. In Iran, five-year development plans are developed with environmental and social conditions in mind. In this context, clause "H" of item 40  of the Seventh Development Plan prohibits inter-basin water transfer for non-potable uses. This policy is designed to protect resources, respect environmental rights, and prevent ecosystem degradation. The transfer of potable water is permitted only after technical reviews and approval by the Supreme Water Council, while water extraction from seas and lakes is exempted. The present study, using a qualitative approach and utilizing the contextual interaction framework, examines this policy and suggests that, in order to achieve the goals, institutional coordination, participation of local communities, use of new technologies, and compensatory mechanisms should be strengthened to ensure justice and sustainable water security.
Keywords
Seventh Development Plan
Inter-Basin Water Transfer
Governance
Contextual Interaction Theory
Non-Potable Uses
  1. Aali, M. B., and Ghazanfari, M., Poursadegh. N. and Pourezat. A. (2024). Definition, governance (meta-synthesis of what governance is). Journal of Exalted Governance. (In Persian)
  2. Abrishamchi, A., & Tajrishi, M. (2005, March). Interbasin water transfer in Iran. In Water conservation, reuse, and recycling: proceeding of an Iranian American workshop (pp. 252-271). Washingon, DC: The National Academies Press.
  3. Bhattarai, M., Pant, D., & Molden, D. (2005). Socio-economics and hydrological impacts of melamchi intersectoral and interbasin water transfer project, Nepal. Water Policy, 7(2), 163-180.
  4. Bressers, H., & Kuks, S. (2013). Water governance regimes: Dimensions and dynamics. International Journal of Water Governance, 1(1-2), 133-156.
  5. Bressers, H., & Kuks, S. (2004). Integrated governance and water basin management (pp. 247-265). Kluwer Academic Publishers.
  6. Hemmati, A., Ebrahimi, K., & Ghorbani, K. (2020). Investigating the existing conflicts in inter-basin water transfer in Iran. In: Proceeding of The Second International Conference on Peace and Conflict Resolution.University of Tehran. (In Persian)
  7. Hemmati, A., Ghorbani, K., & Ebrahimi, K. (2022). Assessment of inter-basin water transfer projects damages in Iran. Water and Irrigation Management, 12(1), 139-156.
  8. Karakaya, N., Evrendilek, F., & Gonenc, E. (2014). Interbasin water transfer practices in Turkey. Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography, 4(2), 1-5.
  9. Karamouz, M., Mojahedi, S. A., & Ahmadi, A. (2010). Interbasin water transfer: economic water quality-based model. Journal of irrigation and drainage engineering, 136(2), 90-98.
  10. Khodabakhshi Behnaz, & Khodabakhshi Farnaz. (2006). Inter-basin water transfer, a sustainable approach to water resources management in the country. (In Persian)
  11. Law on the First Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1989-1994. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/91755
  12. law on the Fifth Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2011-2016. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/790196
  13. Law on the Fourth Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2005-2010. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/94202
  14. Law on the Second Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1995-1999. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/92488
  15. Law on the Seventh Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2024-2028. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/1809128
  16. Law on the Sixth Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2017-2023. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/1014547
  17. Law on the Third Development Plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2000-2004. https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/93301
  18. Mirnezami, S., & Bagheri, A. (2017). Assessing the water governance system for groundwater conservation in Iran. Iran-Water Resources Research, 13(2), 32-55.
  19. Mirnezami, S. J., de Boer, C. L., & Bagheri, A. (2020). Groundwater governance and implementing the conservation policy: the case study of Rafsanjan Plain in Iran. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 22, 8183-8210.
  20. Mohammadi, Fatemeh and Fattahi, Ruhollah and Samadi Borujeni, Hossein and Javadi, Mahsa, 2012, Sensitivity assessment of environmental and social criteria in ranking the proposed options of the Beheshtabad Inter-Basin Water Transfer Project using the AHP method, National Conference on Inter-Basin Water Transfer (Challenges and Opportunities), Shahrekord, https://civilica.com/doc/153335 (In Persian)
  21. Rahimizadeh Mohammad Reza, & Bozorg Haddad Omid. (2018). Investigating the effects of inter-basin water transfer on Iran's water resources. Journal of Strategic Research in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Volume 3, Issue 1, Pages 27-42. (In Persian)
  22. Rosso, R. (2025). On Seven Principles of Water Governance. Water, 17(6), 896.
  23. Sadeghi, S. H. R., Kazemi Kia, S., Kheirfam, H., & Hazbavi, Z. (2016). Experiences and consequences of inter-basin water transfer worldwide. Iran-Water Resources Research, 12(2), 120-140.
  24. Tasaki Ali, (2024). What are the development plans?, https://alitsaki.ir/?p=3610
  25. Zhuang, W. (2016). Eco-environmental impact of inter-basin water transfer projects: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(13), 12867-12879.

 

Iranian Journal of Public Policy
Volume 12, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 437-455