Karen Karapetyan called for a strict policy in the sphere of water management

ArmInfo. Almost 800 million drams have been saved as a result of optimization of the Offices operating in the water management system for the implementation of programs and water users' societies. This was reported to Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan during a meeting at which the course of reforms in the water management system was discussed.

As the press service of the Armenian government informs, the Prime Minister was informed that appropriate steps are being taken in the direction of settling problems connected with pumping stations, increasing financial discipline, improving the services provided, etc. It was noted that a new integrated package of reforms of the water management system is currently under discussion, which will soon be submitted to the Government Office. During the meeting, a discussion was held of the current state of sewage treatment plants in the territory of the Republic of Armenia and proposals for improvement, preparatory works for the transfer of irrigation systems to private management. Work was also carried out to transfer to the management of 560 settlements that remained outside the service area of ZAO Veolia Jur.  Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan noted that all programs in the water management system must be implemented, taking into account and fully understanding their impact and result. "We need to implement a strict policy to permanently improve the situation in the sphere," the head of the government stressed.

On January 1, 2017, the new unified water operator, the French company Veolia Enviroment SA, took over the management of five operating operators: Yerevan Dzhur, Armavodokanal, Shirak Vodokanal, Lori Vodokanal and Nor Akunk.

Simultaneously, starting from January 1, 2017, a unified water tariff was established for the republic, and for Yerevan residents it was increased from 170,256 drams per 1 cubic meter of water to 180 drams, including VAT. Participants of the process hastened to assure the citizens of RA that the increase comes from their own interests, since the funds will be used to improve the system and expand the service network.

As Mushegh Karapetyan, advisor to the Water Supply and Sanitation Department of the State Committee for Water Resources of the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources, stated at the time, the state policy is to include the unified water supply operator in the service area that has remained until today.  Meanwhile, in May this year. the chairman of the State Water Management Committee of Armenia Arsen Harutyunyan told ArmInfo correspondent that today Veolia has no contractual obligations and the community water infrastructure can be transferred under the management of a single operator only after the necessary water system is formed.