Survey of Wastewater Management Status in Urban Areas in Iran

National water and wastewater industry has defined its 20-years goals to provide wastewater collection and treatment systems for at least 60% of the urban population. This study illustrates the status of wastewater management, construction and development of wastewater collection and treatment facilities, and limitations in this field. Questionnaires were sent out to water and waste water companies of 1016 urban areas. The results provided in the paper were taken from those questionnaires. The results show that two (i.e. absorption wells and sanitary sewers) and four methods (i.e. absorption wells, sanitary sewers, and discharge into public places with or without canals) are currently being used for human wastewater management, respectively. Currently, 18% of urban areas are partially covered by waste water collection networks in Iran that is considerably lower than those of other middle-income countries. With completion of waste water collection plans this will increase to 37%. current wastewater management causes problem for more than 50% of urban areas in 42.47 of cities and more than 50% of population in 52.42% of cities. The most important limitations on completion of wastewater collection planes are inappropriate texture of soil and narrowness of pedestrians, sideways, and streets.