Thursday, 3 April 2014
Government takes measures to overcome the complex ecological situation in Ararat water basin Water use level for fisheries to be reduced up to 1/3
Ararat river basin is facing a complex ecological situation as a result of inefficient use of water resources, which is partly due inadequate control over deep well drilling equipment operations.
The Government amended today one of its previous decisions to toughen oversight, which will contribute to the control of illegal wells operating systems and application. Another decision was adopted on the procedure to be followed in commissioning, conserving and liquidating illegal or disused wells. The document bans the granting of water use permits to startup fisheries, as well as the renewal of standing permits for such wells as have not yet been drilled in Ararat and Armavir provinces.
The procedure specified in the decree gives the definition of illegally operated, disused, liquidated and conserved wells, as well as that of such persons and entities as are involved in the operations, which will make it possible to perform various operations without contradictory interpretations.
The main condition for expired water use permit bids will be the reduction of water use to 1 / 3, for which water users should introduce a closed or semi-closed circulatory system, as well as modern equipment for automatic control of the water use level. In accordance with the Prime Minister’s decision, an interagency commission will be set up to discuss and evaluate the bids received by April 1, 2014. The Commission will be operational until August 1, 2014.
In this context, the executive has proposed amendments to the Water Code, “The National Water Plan” and two other laws. The bills will lead to the adoption of a package specification of the characteristics of surface and groundwater, particularly in relation to water balance, water resource monitoring, inventory of State-managed water resources, water supply reliability guarantees. The drafts will be submitted to the National Assembly in the manner established by law.
This year not only do we have less water in the artesian aquifers and black water yield, but also the reservoirs are short of water. Due to this, the Sevan -Hrazdan diversion system is facing additional financial obligation, the cost of electricity consumed has increased.
With the present decision, after reducing the authorized capital and the amount of property owned by Hayjrmoughkoyoughi CJSC, the Government will be able to extend a grant to Sevan – Hrazdan Water Intake CJSC that will improve the company’s financial position.
