Problems and obstacles of returning life to Qanats

Qanats are the vital element of agricultural areas in arid and semi arid regions of Iran. The main reason of water shortage in qanats is due to drought and reduction of water resources in recent years and drilling of deep and semi deep wells in buffer zone of qanats, but lack of reconstruction in some cases caused to low and sometimes zero discharge in qanats, despite of groundwater existence in some parts of qanat’s gallery. This study discussed about current situation, possibility of reorganization and reconstruction in 12 qanats in Isfahan province. Limited financial resources and productivity of the qanats after reconstruction are two important issues in determining the priority of funds allocation to rebuilding of qanats. In this study, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) diilppa for prioritizing of qanats and selecting the best one for reconstruction in each city. Amount of discharge increase after reconstruction, reorganization costs, number of beneficiaries, etc. used as criteria. Results showed that Sifagh2, Deh Darrehbid and Mirzaebrahim qanats in Fereidonshahr, Fereidan and Khansar cities selected as the best qanats for reorganization.

Qanat, Groundwater resources, Reorganization, Reconstruction, AHP