A Social Assessment of Ecological Modernization in the Iranian Water Governance

Water Governance in Iran has sought to achieve groundwater balance by introducing smart meter technology into the water governance system. This policy could have been an effective effort in favor of the environment. However, the project aimed at controlling the exploitation of groundwater reservoirs—through continued smart distribution of water and attempts to reduce well extraction within the framework of the National Groundwater Restoration and Balancing Plan—has not yet yielded the desired results.

Since the introduction of eco-friendly technology into water governance can be considered an ecological modernization effort, this article seeks to analyze the challenges of mandating smart meters for agricultural wells through an ecological modernization framework and by applying environmental impact assessment tools within the policy research methodology. In this study, the process of ecological modernization in Iran’s water governance is evaluated and scored across different sectors, including the market, innovation and technology, government, civil society, and environmental awareness. The findings have also been reassessed through interviews with water users in Yazd-Iran.

Based on the content analysis of the interviews, the "lack of readiness for change" indicator was identified. This indicator emerged from factors such as traditionalism, family-based and small-scale farming systems, and insufficient savings among agricultural water users. The results of this analysis led to the establishment of the Yazd Water Bazaar, which aims to facilitate water leasing among various groundwater users and promote the importance of efficiency by providing water users with the necessary asset and knowledge for change.