MANAGEMENT OF WATER SOURCES AND TRADITIONAL DEVICES FOR SUPPLY OF SUITABLE WATER IN THE QESHM ISLAND (HORMOZGAN)

Water, this holy element is the cause of life for all living beings on the earth. With the existence of regions with little rain fall, gaining the technology to access water, this element of life, calls for great struggle, something that was accomplished by our ancestors, relying only on the primitive technology of their time. Existing dams, pool (Berke), aqueduct (Qanat) etc., in Iran speak of the hard work of our ancestors to manage supplying water. This important task can be seen in the Persian Gulf, especially in Qeshm Island. Opportunity techniques to access water and its distribution management in the hot and humid weather conditions of this Island, with average raining of 200 mm. yearly, by were developed hundreds of years ago by intelligent architects. Unfortunately with the arrivival of modern technology with its values, these old techniques were not only abandoned but also we witness of their destruction at the moment. In this article, traditional water sources of Qeshm Island like pools (Berke), dams, Koleghs (large holes in hard rock), ox-wells and techniques of their operation are explained. Also we will speak about the land – sea project to supply water form Bandar Abbas to Qeshm Island. Finally, we have some suggestions to protect, repair and operate traditional ater sources.