ArmenPress
July 25 2005
AKHURIAN WATER RESERVOIR POLLUTION RAISES CONCERNS
GYUMRI, JULY 25, ARMENPRESS: Findings of an extensive study of
Armenia’s biggest Akhurian water-reservoir in the north-eastern
province of Shirak close to Turkish-Armenian border indicate that
though the water from the reservoir is still fit for irrigation, the
level of its pollution (the water contains a number of heavy metals)
makes consumption of its water hazardous.
These findings were compiled in a book that was presented in
Gyumri. It was published with the assistance of the World Council of
Churches, Swiss EFO and other organizations. The three-year study was
conducted by Armenian GeoFon organization. The reservoir’s capacity
is 525 million cubic meters of water. It irrigates around 104,000
hectares of agricultural lands.
According to Levon Martirosian, who coordinated the studies, the
reservoir water is likely to be polluted by a Turkish leather factory
across the border that pours out its waste waters into Akhurian River
that feeds the reservoir. He says to prevent further pollution
extensive studies should be conducted also in the Turkish section, as
the reservoir is used equally by Armenia and Turkey. Martirosian said
their effort to get a permission of the Turkish authorities t conduct
such studies was rejected.