EcoLur Informational NGO sent a request to Vahagn Gevorgyan, Chair of Water Committee of Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, to find out what are the current problems with the availability and quality of drinking water and irrigation water in Ararat and Armavir Regions, and in which stage are the state programs aimed at regulating this sector. The inquiry particularly says:
“In 2019, within the framework of the USAID-funded Participatory and Effective Use of Water Resources Program, the team of EcoLur Informational NGO implemented “Protect Your Right to Water” grant project and examined the problems with the quality of access to drinking water and irrigation water in Sayat Nova, Hayanist, Artashar, Taronik communities in Armavir Region. The problems identified within the framework of the project and the solution proposals were sent to RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan by "EcoLur" and communities.
We have received a response from RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, which summarizes the responses of several state bodies.
As it has been a long time since this correspondence, we would like to know what has been done to resolve the issues during this time.
Would you, please, inform whether the treatment plant has been built, if not, when it is planned to be built, what measures have been taken so that the sewage of Armavir and Metsamor towns does not flow to Taronik and Artashar water supply system and to be supplied to water users as irrigation water.
Locals have dug deep wells near their plots to prevent sewage irrigation. Is there any control over how much water the villagers draw through deep wells? Will this water not contribute to double salinization of the soil?
Please, indicate whether the development of “Law on Drinking Water” and the harmonization of drinking water standards with international standards are on the agenda today and what steps are being taken in this direction.
The letter of "Armavir" WUC states: "In 2018, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has initiated the rehabilitation of non-functioning deep wells as an alternative solution to the problem of water shortage in the Sevjur river, and a program for drilling new wells. Has this work been carried out? How many inactive deep wells have been restored and new wells drilled?
Ejmiatsin WUC offered to study the reasons for the lowering of the level of Lake Akna, to take measures to correct it, as well as to drill new deep wells. What work has been done in this direction?
Are any works being carried out to replace the soil wells with an internal irrigation network to reduce water losses as a result? How many hectares of arable land in the communities in Ararat Valley do not have an irrigation network? What work is being done to install irrigation networks in those lands?”
June 04, 2022 at 13:37