EcoLur
In the frames of “Support to SHPP-relating reforms through the dialogue of public and RA Nature Protection Ministry for Sustainable Use of River Ecosystems” the expert group visited "Hermon" SHPP. It is located in Hermon community’s administrative territory of Aysas River (river length is 12 km) in Vayots Dzor Region. SHPP is operated by "Elegis HPP" LLC. The findings of the monitoring are as follows:
• Water intake coordinates laid down in water usage permit do not comply with the factual coordinates.
• There are no water metering observation points in water intake and water outlet centers.
• Demands of free water use are met.
• The environmental flow is set at 0.1 m3/s by water usage permit. But a pond is built in the head note, from where the water flows into the river, while it flows into in pressurized pipeline on the right side, which is buried. It is impossible to control environmental flow without measuring devices during low water. It is obvious that when the water is low, the river will face losing its water.
• The landscape has been violated: A dam of 10 meters high is built in water intake point, which has closed the riverbed and emerged an artificial pond. The concrete, which has been used for 7-8 years, has decomposed and the armatures have opened because of low quality. Concrete decomposition process is continuous, which could be a threat to the stability of the dam.
• There is no fish passway at the head of SHPP as fish do not swim at that area of Egeghis’ Aysas River. This is due to the presence of 9-10 meters of natural waterfalls on the tributary.
• The river has prerequisites for trout, but it needs additional research not only for trout but also for other fish. It is known that trout can overcome quite high waterfalls (for example, Shaki waterfall which has a height of 12 m). In case of fish detection, a fish passway will be needed to built at the head of the river.
• Pelton-type aggregates produced by Armenia and Russia are placed. The noise of aggregates is significant, but the green surface mitigates the proliferation of noise to surrounding environment, including the rest area.
• The equipments are in poor conditions, the water is leaked.
• Household waste disposal is not carried out. The derivation percentage ratio of the length of “Hermon” and “Nane” SHPP makes 49.96% with the length of the river.
• 'Hermon" SHHP is located 0,2-2,5 km away of Yeghegnadzor state reserve. SHPP area was regulated, fenced in and had green grass. The Environmental Inspection has not conducted inspections in SHPP over the past three years.
• 10 people works at SHPP.
Proposals
• It is essential to install metering devices and control environmental flow.
• It is necessary immediately to implement dam restoration work. It is essential to build fish passway in the case of finding fish.
• It is essential to perform equipment updating.
• It is necessary regularly to carry out household waste discharge.
The material was developed in the frames of “Supporting reforms in the sector of small hydro power plants through enabling a dialogue between civil society and the Ministry of Nature Protection for sustainable use of river ecosystems” supported by UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme".
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July 02, 2015 at 12:55