Conservation of deep wells in Ararat valley helped save about 8 million cubic meters of water a year – minister

YEREVAN, December 3. / ARKA /. The conservation and closure of over 100 illegally operating artesian wells in the Ararat Valley has helped save about 8 million cubic meters of water a year, Nature Protection Minister Aramayis Grigoryan said today during a parliamentary Q&A session.

According to government figures, about 50% of underground water resources of the country are concentrated in Ararat artesian basin.  

A recent USAID-funded  study, managed by Clean Energy and Water Program (CEWP),  revealed that over the last 6-8 years, the level of groundwater resources in the Ararat Valley that has the bulk of fish farms, has significantly decreased, leaving over 30 communities without reliable access to potable and/or irrigation water. 

The minister said today the government has allocated 107 million drams for the closure of illegal deep artesian wells.

"The conservation and closure of deep wells translated into 8 million cubic meters of water saved per year. The results are being already felt by the population,” said Grigoryan. 

In 2013 July the government began charging for use of artesian water - 15 drams for a cubic meter of deep water and 5 drams of surface water. Before that these waters were used illegally and for free.  

The collected money will be used for conservation and closure of more illegally operating deep wells. According to government estimates, conservation of a deep well requires about 4 million drams. ($1 – 442.48 drams).  –0--