Water Diary

The results from the water footprint calculator say that I use 1,487 gallons a day. This is slightly lower than the US average of 1,802 gallons per day. This may be because I am living on my own and eating most of my meals at the dining hall. The water footprint network calculated that I use about 183,177 gallons per year. 

The average water footprint per capita in Iran is about 1,347 gallons per day. This is closer to the US average than expected due to the discrepancy in water availability between these two countries. My research on Iran’s efforts to preserve clean water shows that there is heavy government involvement in water regulation. However, droughts and water scarcity in Pennsylvania are much less common than they are in Iran. Based on these similar levels of consumption, it seems as though it would be difficult for Iran to sustain these consumption levels if there is not a greater effort made by the government. 

If Iran’s citizens are demanding levels of water intake at 1,347 gallons per day and the government can’t keep up, there will be an even greater risk of a water crisis. Iran will not be able to keep up with the growing demand for water, which will cause domestic and international issues. 

Already, citizens in Iran are protesting the water scarcity in major cities. There is upset over the government’s unsuccessful approach to managing water in the country. The increase in water scarcity, paired with the growing threats of climate change will cause even more domestic unrest. 

This could also have major implications on international relations in the Middle East. The lack of cooperation between states in this region throughout history makes me believe that compromise over water issues will not be possible. Iran does have the capital to seek other solutions to the water crisis, but may choose to target other Middle Eastern States instead. Countries like Iraq and Syria that have access to river water may become a target of Iran’s high demand for water. Instead of sparking regional cooperation, this water crisis could cause conflict between Iran and neighboring states. A short-term solution for Iran could be increasing access to water across borders, which would cause regional unrest and would not be a long-term solution.