About 20% of Armenian rivers are dangerously polluted
14.03.2016,
15:44
About 20% of Armenian rivers are polluted at an extent that can be called 'catastrophic' because of nearby mines, an environmentalist Seyran Minasyan told a news conference today.
YEREVAN, March 14. /ARKA/. About 20% of Armenian rivers are polluted at an extent that can be called 'catastrophic' because of nearby mines, an environmentalist Seyran Minasyan told a news conference today.
According to him, these rivers are Akhuryan (near Gyumri), Debed (near Vanadzor), Hrazdan (near Yerevan), Goris (near Kapan) and Tsaraghpyur (flows through the resort town of Tsakhkadzor). He said development of metal deposits has also affected the ecosystems of Akhtala, Voghji and Karchevan rivers.
However, the condition of about 70% of rivers and tributaries can be assessed as "good" and "excellent", which is explained by the small size of population living along these rivers and absence of industrial enterprises.
"The pollution of rivers is to be blamed on irresponsible mining companies which dump the waste into rivers. Another pollution factor is waste waters. In Armenia we actually have no waste water treatment plants,' Minasyan said.
According to him, the problem is that construction of a waste water treatment plant may cost from $200 to $300 million, which in turn would push up the drinking water price for consumers.
He said the territory of Armenia is divided into 14 water basins, 13 of which are being now studied by scientists. The study of water resources of Tavush region is impossible because of the dangerous proximity to the border with Azerbaijan. In general, there are 50 rivers and tributaries in the country. -- 0--
According to him, these rivers are Akhuryan (near Gyumri), Debed (near Vanadzor), Hrazdan (near Yerevan), Goris (near Kapan) and Tsaraghpyur (flows through the resort town of Tsakhkadzor). He said development of metal deposits has also affected the ecosystems of Akhtala, Voghji and Karchevan rivers.
However, the condition of about 70% of rivers and tributaries can be assessed as "good" and "excellent", which is explained by the small size of population living along these rivers and absence of industrial enterprises.
"The pollution of rivers is to be blamed on irresponsible mining companies which dump the waste into rivers. Another pollution factor is waste waters. In Armenia we actually have no waste water treatment plants,' Minasyan said.
According to him, the problem is that construction of a waste water treatment plant may cost from $200 to $300 million, which in turn would push up the drinking water price for consumers.
He said the territory of Armenia is divided into 14 water basins, 13 of which are being now studied by scientists. The study of water resources of Tavush region is impossible because of the dangerous proximity to the border with Azerbaijan. In general, there are 50 rivers and tributaries in the country. -- 0--
