Abstract
As declared by UNESCO, Qanats are considered as a great human heritage. For many centuries, they presented a rational way of groundwater management in arid rural areas. This paper aims at revisiting this ancient water supply system reviewing its structure and characteristics including construction and operational issues. On that basis, we highlight some key sustainability perspectives related to this ancient water supply practice. We advocate that this ancient technology should not only be protected as a great human heritage but also be reconsidered as a sustainable way of groundwater management in arid/semi-arid regions.
Highlights
IntroductionWith an average annual rainfall of 250 mm, it is comprised of vast regions with less than 100 mm annual rainfall, in the east and center, and small areas in the west and north with up to 1,400 mm annual rainfall ( Motiee et al 2006)
Iran is known as the birth place of Qanat
Qanats are considered as a great human heritage, contributing to sustainable management of groundwater (Abdin 2006)
Summary
With an average annual rainfall of 250 mm, it is comprised of vast regions with less than 100 mm annual rainfall, in the east and center, and small areas in the west and north with up to 1,400 mm annual rainfall ( Motiee et al 2006) In such circumstances, an efficient use of subsurface water resources became vital. An efficient use of subsurface water resources became vital In this sense, around 800 BC, Persians mastered a groundwater exploitation technology (Goblot 1979; Behnia 1988), in form of man-made underground water channels titled Kanehat ( called Kariz or Qanat). Around 800 BC, Persians mastered a groundwater exploitation technology (Goblot 1979; Behnia 1988), in form of man-made underground water channels titled Kanehat ( called Kariz or Qanat) This technology was spread to other Middle Eastern countries, China, India, Japan, North Africa, Spain and from there to Latin America (Abdin 2006; ICQHS 2015). Such consistency in utilization stems from the fact that Qanats, once built, can provide a steady supply of quality water for many years from groundwater resources far from the villages, with almost
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