Digging in the shadows: A grounded theory study on the drivers of illegal well drilling in southern Iran

Yazdanpanah, M., Romina, F.Z., Sharifi, Z., Löhr, K., Bonatti, M., & Sieber, S. (2026). Digging in the shadows: A grounded theory study on the drivers of illegal well drilling in southern Iran. Environmental Development 57 e101338. 10.1016/j.envdev.2025.101338.

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Abstract

The agricultural sector is the largest consumer of water resources in Iran. Due to the country's physical and geographical constraints, groundwater overexploitation has intensified, making illegal well drilling an increasingly critical and uncontrolled national issue. This study investigates the underlying causes of illegal well drilling in Bushehr province using a qualitative grounded theory approach. Data was collected through in-depth, open-ended interviews, document analysis, and observations. The study's statistical population comprised farmers with water wells and experts from relevant organizations. Using snowball sampling, data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached, resulting in a total of 53 interviews (23 farmers and 30 experts). The grounded theory analysis followed three coding stages: open, axial, and selective coding. Open coding yielded 322 concepts, which were refined into 21 categories during axial coding. Ultimately, a paradigm model of the drivers of illegal well drilling in southern Iran was presented including the main phenomenon, contextual conditions, causal conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences. Providing a comprehensive conception of the subject, the findings can pave the route for mitigating illegal well drilling and promoting sustainable groundwater management.

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