120 MLN CUBIC METERS OF WATER FROM LAKE SEVAN TO BE USED FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSE THIS YEAR

Noyan Tapan
Jun 1 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 1, NOYAN TAPAN. Under the governmental decision of
June 1, 120 mln c.m. of water from Lake Sevan will be used for
irrigation this year. The same amount was used in 2005. Chairman
of the State Water Industry Committee of the RA Ministry of
Territorial Administration Andranik Andreasian stated this at a
briefing today. He pointed out that the increase in the level of
Lake Sevan will not affect in any way the amount of its water to be
used for irrigation. According to him, Arpa-Sevan Tunnel annually
carries 260 mln c.m. of water to Lake Sevan. A.Andreasian said that 53
associations of water users currently carry out irrigation activities
in Armenia. Each of these associations determines the irrigation
water tariff in its area. About 16 associations supply 1 c.m of
water at 8 drams, while the remaining ones apply a tariff of up to
40 drams. However, the tariff again makes 8 drams for the ultimate
user and the difference is subsidized by the state. 3.7 bln drams
(about 8.6 mln USD) has been allocated for this purpose in 2006. It
was noted that an independent audit is now being perfomed in order to
prepare a program on financial development of the irrigation system
in the next 5 years, and it is not ruled out that some structural
changes will be made as a result.