Prime minister calls for ruling out illegal use of water
Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan has ordered nature protection minister Artsvik Minasyan today to submit proposals for introduction of a single system for awarding licenses and permits for water usage ‘to rule out illegal use of water.’
The prime minister also ordered an investigation to find out the number of companies which operate without a permit for water use.
"It is necessary to exclude cases of illegal water use. The situation is extremely important," - said Karapetyan.
According to 2013-2014 study conducted by USAID, the level of groundwater resources and groundwater springs reserves in the Ararat Valley significantly dropped over the previous 6-8 years. Over 30 communities in the valley suffer from shortages of potable and irrigation water, which leaves a negative imprint on the socio-economic and health conditions of the villages.
The study voiced the strong need for political action on the part of the Armenian government to address these issues through improved management and control mechanisms, including the introduction of water conservation measures. These steps are expected to ultimately help remedy the situation and restore the level of groundwater resources in the Ararat Valley – the country’s vital agricultural hub. -0-