Critical study of laws relating to the safeguarding of surface water and groundwater

The water crisis in Iran is a reality. The Iranian legislator, with a view to an effective fight against this phenomenon, has legislated several laws in this area. Some laws are effective in this regard and compatible with this goal, such as the 1345 Law on the Protection of Groundwater Sources. However, other laws not only are not effective but also undermine this goal, such as law on the equitable distribution of water of 1361. It should be noted that some articles of this law undermine the safeguarding of groundwater. In particular the penal sanctions provided for by this law are not severe, therefore, they are not effective. As a consequence of the inefficiency of these sections the rules of Law 1361 are not respected. For this reason the law of 1361 needs modification and especially the penal feelings envisaged by this law must be replaced by the more severe sections.