
ArmInfo.The artesian basin of the Ararat valley has significant groundwater resources that are used for household needs, irrigation, fish farming and production. The pool water is also used for the cooling system of the Metsamor NPP. Research by specialists
has shown that the groundwater level in the basin over the past 10
years has dropped by an average of 6-9 meters (up to 15 meters in
some places), and the artesian zone has decreased by about 67%.
This was discussed at the "Prospects for sustainable management of
water resources in the Ararat Valley" scientific conference held in
Yerevan today, where the water problems of the region and their
negative consequences for Armenia were discussed. The conference was
organized by the USAID Advanced Science & Partnerships for Integrated
Resource Development (ASPIRED) Project.
The experts present noted that the negative dynamics of the excessive
exploitation of the underground water resources of the valley leads
to a water imbalance, a decrease in the potential for groundwater
recovery, the creation of water shortages in the region, which
threatens the food and energy security of the country. As a result of
resource depletion, as of today more than 30 communities in the
Ararat Valley are experiencing problems with drinking water and
irrigation, which is evidenced by the assessment of demand carried
out by experts. It was revealed that the negative difference between
the demand and supply of water in the artesian basin of the Ararat
valley was more than 1.120 million m3. This shortage is mainly
related to human activities and overuse of resources by various
sectors of the economy, the main of which is fisheries.
It was noted that until recently, government decisions on groundwater
abstraction were based on data from 1983-1984. In order to prevent
over-exploitation of water resources, regulate the activities of
water users, the government has adopted appropriate decisions and
legislative acts. However, data from the ASPIRED project show that in
2016 the actual water withdrawals from these resources are still 46%
higher than the allowable amount approved by the government.
As Director of the USAID Mission in Armenia David Hoffman stated at
the conference, the Armenian government and the United States have
been working together for more than 25 years to solve the country's
water problems. "We need data to better support the sector. How is it
possible to reduce the consumption of groundwater, not knowing their
true volume, because the latest data is about 40 years old? He
expressed hope that as a result of further cooperation, it will be
possible to restore the groundwater resources of the country's
agricultural sector, which is of strategic importance for the safety
of the Armenian (Metsamor) NPP.
Deputy Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Armenia Anna
Mazmanyan highly appreciated the implementation of the USAID/ ASPIRED
project, highlighting the results of complex studies of the
hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of the Ararat Valley,
carried out within the framework of the project, primarily in the
context of the analysis of the origin, properties and condition of
groundwater, which is necessary to determine technical solutions for
their competent and efficient use. The research will help develop an
unified, interconnected and integrated approach to efficient water
management in this critical region of Armenia.
It was noted that on the basis of these data provided by ASPIRED, the
Armenian government will be able to develop reasonable policies and
legislation in the water sector, which are primarily aimed at
achieving the goals of long-term conservation of resources in order
to meet the water needs of the population and economic entities, in
conditions of a conscious and responsible approach to water use.
To recall, back in September 2019, the Armenian government made a
decision on conservation of 97 water wells in the Ararat Valley.
Presenting then the draft decision, the head of the Ministry of
Environment noted that 37.9 million drams will be allocated from the
Reserve Fund of the government to solve the task. As a result of the
implementation of the program, about 30 million cubic meters of water
will be saved. In addition, the possibility of a complete ban on the
use of artesian wells in the Ararat valley during the period when
there is no need for irrigation was considered.
To recall, on August 29, the government of the country made another
decision aimed at streamlining the order of water supply to fish
farms in the Ararat valley. About 120 fish farms have been operating
in the valley. In order to provide them with the required volumes of
water, it is envisaged to use a closed water supply cycle, which will
form a single chain in the production of fish and fish products. To
this end, it was planned to establish certain limits for companies
engaged in this area. It was proposed to fish farms to modernize
production by transferring from to a closed cycle, and as support
measures were developed to make the farms accessible to affordable
financial resources and leasing transactions. 460 million drams were
allocated from the state budget to solve this problem.
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