RA Environment Ministry has issued a legislative proposal, which envisages the creation of funds for the protection of water resources by providing financial guarantees for the conservation or liquidation of wells after groundwater extraction. The draft laws developed by the Ministry https://www.e-gov.am/gov-decrees/item/38370/ were approved at the June 2 sitting of RA Government.
However, in practice, in case of abandonment of wells or refusal of operation by the water user as a result of reduced flows, the persons responsible for the liquidation or conservation of those wells have not fulfilled their responsibilities. This problem was especially acute in the context of changes in groundwater levels in the Ararat Valley over the past decade.
According to the draft law, the construction of the well will be allowed in case of financial resources transferred by the water user to the account of the fund, and the operation of the well will be based on the passport of the well, which has been built and operated.
In the Ararat Valley (Ararat and Armavir Regions), the issuance of new water use permits through existing wells for fish breeding purposes will be prohibited, unless otherwise provided by the basin management plans.
June 08, 2022 at 17:01