TEHRAN, Oct 27: Iran said on Wednesday a heavy water plant would start functioning within a month near the city of Arak.

"With two out of three units already operational, we are currently able to produce heavy water with 15 per cent," the state news agency quoted the plant's research and development chief, Manoushehr Madadi, as saying.

"In a month's time and with operation of the fourth unit, we will be able to produce heavy water with 99.8 per cent," he said.

"By then we will be able to produce 16 tons from the current eight tons and therefore the country will no longer need to import heavy water," he said. The plant itself "was constructed and operated by Iranians without outside help."-APP