SAEDNEWS: Expert from the Ministry of Agriculture Announces Smart 'Qanat Scanner' System for Safe Monitoring and Modernization of the Country’s Qanats
According to the Science and Technology Service of Saed News, Hossein Rasanzadeh, an expert at the Water and Soil Department of the Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, spoke to Mehr News Agency about the implementation of the “National Qanat Reconstruction and Renovation Plan” since 1994. He explained that this initiative aims to restore damaged qanats and increase the flow of water in low-yield qanats, as envisioned in national budgets and five-year development plans.
Rasanzadeh highlighted the current challenges in implementing the plan, noting that traditional monitoring of qanat reconstruction requires the presence of experienced engineers and diggers inside the qanat—a task that is not only difficult but also extremely hazardous. Risks include gas poisoning, tunnel collapse, and earthquake-related accidents. To date, over 45 incidents related to such activities have been recorded in Iran.
He continued: due to these dangers, much of the current monitoring relies on estimating the materials used and the volume of excavation, a method that lacks precision and underscores the need for modern technology to ensure accurate oversight.
The idea for designing a “Qanat Scanner” system arose when it was observed that an elderly digger was struggling to enter a qanat for inspection under dangerous conditions.
Rasanzadeh added that, initially, imaging technologies can provide precise mapping of the qanat pathways. However, the ultimate goal is more ambitious: developing a robot capable of entering qanats to automatically perform dredging, excavation, and even installing ventilation shafts.
Pointing to the economic and environmental benefits of qanats, he emphasized that contrary to some experts’ beliefs that qanats are economically unfeasible, they remain a low-cost and sustainable water supply method amid the water crisis and high pumping costs. In South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina, new qanats are also being constructed today using small drilling machines and modern technologies.
Rasanzadeh stressed that qanats are not only a vital part of Iran’s water civilization but, by integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technology, they could become a global model for sustainable water management.
He noted that approximately 100,000 qanats exist in Iran, of which around 40,000 have been lost. The primary priority is maintaining active qanats, followed by exploring the possibility of reconstructing dry or damaged ones.
In the current water-scarce situation, reactivating qanats can serve as a sustainable water management solution. Modern technologies, such as metro-like drilling machines, can play a key role in their revival.
Rasanzadeh also highlighted the need for academic and research centers to engage in this field. He suggested that universities and research institutes, such as Islamic Azad University, could conduct pilot qanat projects to supply water for green spaces or even drinking water within their campuses. This approach could serve as a cost-effective alternative to transferring water from downstream areas, as qanats deliver water by gravity without requiring energy.
Currently, around 46,000 active qanats with precise coordinates have been identified in Iran, and restoration efforts are underway in some. Some are charitable endowments, others belong to institutions such as Astan Quds, and some are privately owned.
Regarding private sector involvement, Rasanzadeh pointed out examples in the country. For instance, an agricultural complex in Damavand restored its dried qanat with an investment exceeding one billion Iranian rials, achieving a flow of about 20 liters per second—a highly valuable resource in arid regions today.
He concluded that reviving qanats carries environmental, economic, and cultural significance. The Ministry of Agriculture Jihad is tasked with restoring and protecting qanats that hold registered technical and historical features, preserving this invaluable water heritage for future generations.
