Drinking Water Pipeline Damaged in Gndevaz During Construction Work on Road to Amulsar

On July 22, a drinking water pipeline accident occurred in Gndevaz Village, part of Jermuk consolidated community in Vayots Dzor Region. The incident was posted on Facebook by Jermuk resident Shirak Buniatyan, who noted that heavy machinery working on the dirt roads leading to Amulsar damaged the village’s drinking water line, leaving residents without water for several hours during hot weather.

 “According to circulating information, the equipment belongs to a contractor company hired by Lydian. I was instantly reminded of similar incidents in 2018 that occurred over the course of just a few days and sparked the blockade of Amulsar by the public. And now, after just a day or two of work, the same scenario. Is this inexperience, indifference, negligence, or intentional?” Buniatyan posted on his Facebook page.

To verify the information, EcoLur contacted Sevak Mkrtchyan, Administrative Head of Gndevaz. According to him, the incident took place around 5:30 p.m. on July 22, when an excavator damaged the drinking water pipe leading from the reservoir to the village during construction work.

“The pipeline was damaged about 200–300 meters from the reservoir. We responded quickly by shutting off the water supply from above so that dirty water wouldn't reach the system. Since it was close to the village, we were able to intervene fast. Construction work is being carried out on the road, they’re cleaning the nearby streams to prevent future floods from damaging it, and filling it with gravel. Earthworks are underway on the road to Amulsar,” he said.

Mkrtchyan also noted that he found out about the construction work in his administrative area only on the day of the incident:

“They started work on that very day, July 22. I was only approached after the accident happened. No one informed me beforehand that construction was taking place. I wasn’t aware. When I arrived, the first thing I said was: ‘Why didn’t you notify me if you're working within my administrative territory?’ They said it was a mistake and that from now on everything would go through me.”