Reducing Water Losses by 50 Million Cubic Metres and Limiting Annual Water Abstraction from Lake Sevan by 5 Million Cubic Metres: Government Programme

The Armenian Government plans to reduce water losses by 50 million cubic metres over the next five years compared with 2025 levels, as well as limit the use of water from Lake Sevan for irrigation by 5 million cubic metres annually. This is stated in the Government’s Programme for 2026–2031.

“The Government is committed to ensuring the sustainable and efficient management of water resources, providing high reliability and accessibility of water supply, wastewater, and irrigation systems. The development vision for the system is that all water used should undergo proper treatment and processing in accordance with safety standards before being returned to the natural environment or re-entering the water system,” the document states.

As a result of the measures to be implemented in this area:

1. The management of the drinking water supply system will be improved through the conclusion of a new long-term contract with an organisation with extensive international experience and a strong reputation in the sector.
2. Water quality and the average duration of water supply will be improved throughout the country. The “Solak–Arzakan–Yerevan” water supply system will be constructed, while new water sources will be studied and brought into use.
3. The most critical drinking water supply systems and distribution networks will undergo major capital rehabilitation. Other water supply systems will also be constructed and rehabilitated, resulting in a reduction of water losses by at least 50 million cubic metres compared with 2025 levels.
4. Differentiated tariffs will be introduced, including measures to limit the use of drinking water for technical purposes and promote alternative solutions to drinking water for economic and other activities.
5. The wastewater collection and conveyance systems in the cities of Gavar, Martuni and Vardenis and adjacent settlements, as well as existing mechanical treatment plants, will be modernised. Biological treatment systems will be added. Wastewater management models will be developed for all settlements across the country, with the aim of ensuring that the level of treatment of water discharged back into the environment complies with established standards.
6. Irrigation systems will be modernised, including the Mkhchyan and Ranchpar pumping stations and the irrigation infrastructure they serve. Irrigation will be made available to 10,000 hectares of additional land.
7. The use of water from Lake Sevan for irrigation will be limited by 5 million cubic metres each year.
8. The institutional framework for the management of water resources and water systems will be improved, including through the full digitalisation of the system and the alignment of regulatory legislation and water resources management with international best standards.

To be continued