Access to drinking water has always been a dilemma in the southern parts of Iran. That is why in almost all Persian Gulf Littoral States desalination installations as the most important means of providing drinking water can be found and enjoy a greater possibility for growth. The Kish island, an example of one such area, owes much of its past progress and development to this main factor. Kish, indeed, has been known for its natural drinking water resources.
The traditional sources of the Kish island’s water supply include the surface/sub-surface water -- such as springs and qanats-- collected in ponds. Although the use of the ponds and qanats has stopped today, it indicates that that the former inhabitants of the island must have employed all common techniques and methods of their time in order to maintain and preserve life in Kish. For that matter, even right up to a few years ago, this island was supplying the drinking water of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, about 300 boats engaged in pearl- diving were receiving their supply of drinking water from Kish .
Somewhere near the ruins of the Harireh city, there are underground water reservoirs similar to those in Siraf. These reservoirs are believed to have been built at the end of natural water sheds, deep in the ground and with minimum construction material -- maintaining a considerable amount of running water for a long period of time . One of these, for example, was about 5 meters long, 8 meters wide and 20 meters deep.
Aside from the resevoirs mentioned above, there are also a great number of 10 to 12 meter deep wells containing odorless and drinkable water. Moreover, there are some wells whose water turn salty after one to two hours of use -- utilized for other purposes. It is said that qanat building was one of the most ingenious methods of accessing underground water. Although flat lands are not all that suitable for this purpose, inhabitants of Kish managed to succeed this way.
There are many Qantas in Kish. Except for the four main ones-- each 1,000 to 2,300 meters long -- however, the others have come about as a result of joining a group of about 4 or 5 wells to one another. Unfortunately, all the island’s qanats have since collapsed and lack water. However, the KFZO is presently in the midst of implementing a costly project geared toward reconstructing one of the old qanats.
In the renovation and development of kish island, due attention has also been paid to the provision of drinking water. Kish Water and Electric Companies, has recently, managed to renovate and repair old fresh water plants which had been damaged. Moreover, it has foreseen construction of new fresh water plants, taking necessary measures to provide the island with drinking water. According to these plans, when new fresh water plants are put into operation and new ones are erected, the drinking water production capacity will meet the requirements of the residents and the industrial units.

Climate	Drinking Water	Demography	Tourist Attraction	Occupation & Manpower	Investment Field
Bazaar	Geology	Geography	Distant Past	Water & Electricity	Flora & Vegetation