Water crisis management in arid and semi-arid cities, including Ilam, is considered one of the critical and complex challenges due to resource limitations, increasing urban population, and climate change. This study uses an exploratory-analytical approach based on the Mactor model to identify and analyze the role and impact of actors, convergence of goals, and key drivers of water crisis management. In this study, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used; semi-structured interviews with experts in the fields of water, environment, urban management, and local governance led to the identification of actors and macro- and micro-goals of water crisis management, and quantitative data was supplemented through impact-dependency matrices and convergence of goals. The findings showed that the Ilam water crisis management network has a clear hierarchy and specific roles of subordinate, intermediary, and strategic actors. Urban consumers have a subordinate and limited role, executive companies are mediators and coordinators, and Ilam Governorate and Water Resources Management have a strategic and determining role. The net distance map between goals indicates high convergence between legal, executive, and participatory goals, and the net distance map between actors allows for the identification of potential coalitions and points of conflict. Based on these results, coordination between actors, prioritization of key goals, strengthening public participation, and utilizing the mediator role of executive actors are suggested as effective solutions for water crisis management in Ilam. In addition to providing a detailed analytical framework, the findings can be an operational guide for sustainable water resources planning and policymaking in other similar regions.