ArmInfo. "We have big problems in the water supply sector. And this is the area where we must show political will and make decisions," Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on February 1 at a cabinet meeting, pointing out that the authorities' efforts should be aimed at providing people with water, and not at curbing prices.
According to the prime minister, the population of Armenia should reconsider their attitude towards water. "This is the same thing if we now go to a Mercedes showroom, take out 100 thousand drams and ask for a good car. They will laugh at us. We have almost the same attitude towards water. We give 12 drams and demand in return drinking water, water for irrigation and something else, around the clock," he noted.
From January 1, 2017, the new single water operator - the French company "Veolia Djur" - a subsidiary of the French Veolia Enviroment SA, took over the management of the property of five existing operators for a period of 15 years: "Yerevan-Jur", "Armvodokanal", "Shirak Vodokanal" ", "Lori Vodokanal" and "Nor Akunk". At the same time, from January 1, 2017, a unified water tariff was established across the republic, and for residents of Yerevan it was increased from 170.256 drams per 1 cubic meter of water to 180 drams, including VAT. Participants in the process hastened to assure the citizens of the Republic of Armenia that this increase is based on their own interests, since the funds will be used to improve the system and expand the service network. After the announcement of the tender results, the company presented basic tariffs for 15 years, which are adjusted based on 3 factors - depending on the electricity tariff, inflation rate, and the volume of retail supplies in the water supply sector.