http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2016/11/iran-water-crisis-161109114752047.html
It is hard to imagine life without access to sufficient quantities of fresh water, but in some parts of the world, particularly the Middle East, that is becoming more than a theoretically disturbing possibility, as climate change, mass migration, environmental degradation, drought and political instability - among other issues - make the use and management of diminishing water resources an increasing challenge.
It's a particular concern in Iran, where a number of problems - not least the stifling effect of years of international sanctions - mean water depletion is now receiving some serious attention.
As Kaveh Madani, an environmental policy expert at London's Imperial College, explains, there are three main reasons for Iran's rapidly declining water resources, "one being the rapid population growth".
He says: "In less than two decades the population of Iran doubled. The second cause is an inefficient agricultural sector. It's been very important for us over the years of war with Iraq and after that during the sanctions. So it was natural to be really worried about food self-sufficiency and food availability in this country. And the third cause being mismanagement."
