Tehran, May 31, IRNA � Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian said on Friday that many of the water related problems affecting Iran can only be solved if irrigation water is saved by 10 percent, Mehr news agency reported.

Chitchian, who made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the Dez irrigation and drainage network, which is situated in the southern part of Karkhehnoor River, added that the development of irrigation networks in Hoveyzeh and Azadegan will help local inhabitants to have access to high quality and clean water.

�It is difficult for the government to run such programs under imposed sanctions; however, a lot of efforts are being put to accomplish the projects at hand on time,� he added.

The energy minister also announced that Ghadir project will be accomplished by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 2016), and all areas in Dasht-e Azadegan County will receive potable water.

In the project, water will be supplied from Dez dam, and it will be channeled along 430 kilometers to Ahvaz, Shedgan and Dasht-e Azadegan.

�This project has been costly, but we are content that Khuzestan citizens have access to high quality potable water�, he added.

�Geographically, Iran is situated in a dry area of the globe. So, drought is not a short-term problem and must be taken more seriously,� he concluded.

By IRNA