Executive Summary - Environmental Protection of International River

Environmental,Protection,of,,
International,River,Basins,,
Project,
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This"project"is"funded"by"
The"European"Union"
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DRAFT,BASIN,MANAGEMENT,PLAN,FOR,
AKHURYAN,RIVER,BASIN,DISTRICT,
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EXECUTIVE,SUMMARY,
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1"
March,2016,
Acknowledgements
The development of River Basin Management Plans for selected river basins/sub-river basins according to the
requirements of the WFD is one of two specific objectives under the EU funded project “Environmental Protection of
International River Basins” (Service Contract Nr. ENPI/2011/279-666, EuropeAid/131360/C/SER/Multi)
implemented by Hulla & Co. Human Dynamics KG in consortium with the Regional Environmental Center for
Central and Eastern Europe (REC), CES Consulting Engineers Salzgitter GmbH, H.P. Gauff Ingenieure GmbH & Co.
KG – JBG, Crimean Republic Association "Ekologiya I Mir" (CRAEM) and Ukrainian National Environmental NGO
"Mama-86", for a period of 57 months from 30th January 2012 to 29th October 2016.
For the preparation of this River Basin Management Plan for Akhuryan River Basin District of Armenia
Specific acknowledgement is given to:
−
−
−
−
−
EPRIB" Project" team:" Mr." Timothy" Turner," Mr." Zurab" Jincharadze," Mr." Bernardas" Paukstys," Ms." Birgit" Vogel,""
Mr."Peter"Roncak,"Mr."Paul"Bujis,"Ms."Romina"Alvarez,"Mr."Vahagn"Tonoyan"
“Geoinfo”"LLC;"“Resource"Management”"LLC;"“NHRS”"LLC;"
Ministry"of"Nature"Protection"of"Armenia,"and"its"Water"Resources"Management"Agency,"Akhuryan"Water"Basin"
Management"Authority,"Environmental"Impact"Monitoring"Centre,"Hydrogeological"Monitoring"Centre;"
Ministry"of"Emergency"Situations,"and"its"Armenian"State"Hydrometoerological"and"Monitoring"Service;"
Shirak"Regional"Administration;"Armavir"Regional"Administration;"Aragatsotn"Regional"Administration.""
Specific contributions and support for the elaboration of the document have been provided by:
− Mr." Aram" Gevorgyan" (Data" Management" and" GIS" Expert)," Mr." Vilik" Sargsyan" (Hydrologist)," Mr." Levon"
Martirosyan"(Geographer),"Mr."Levon"Chilingaryan"(Water"Economist),"Mr."Boris"Mnatzakanyan"(Hydrologist);"
− Mr." Vahan" Davtyan," Mr." Artyom" Mkhitaryan," Ms." Lusine" Taslakyan," Mr." Harutyun" Harutyunyan,""
Mr."Alfred"Nersisyan,"Mr."Stepan"Grigoryan,"Mr."Hrant"Zakaryan,"Ms."Gayane"Hovsepyan,"Mr."Norayr"Vardanyan,"
Mr." Davit" Grigoryan," Mr." Ashot" Abgaryan," Mr." Ararat" Vardanyan" " (Water" Resources" Management" Agency" and"
Akhuryan"Water"Basin"Management"Authority);"
− Mr."Levon"Vardanyan,"Mr."Hamlet"Melkonyan,"Mr."Levon"Azizyan,"Mr."Edgar"Misakyan,"Mr."Hermes"Tadevosyan"
(Armenian"State"Hydrometoerological"and"Monitoring"Service);"
− Mr."Sasun"Sahakyan,"Ms."Gayane"Shahnazaryan,"Ms."Alina"Zurnachyan,"Mr."Artur"Gevorgyan,"Mr."Vardan"Karyan,"
Mr."Seyran"Minasyan,"Ms."Liana"Margaryan,"Mr."Levon"Ghukasyan,"Mr."Vahagn"Petrosyan"(Environmental"Impact"
Monitoring"Centre);"
− Mr." Karlen" Hakobyan," Mr." Hovik" Aghinyan," Mr." Harutyun" Yeremyan," Ms." Armine" Hakobyan," Mr." Khachatur"
Gharabaghtzyan," Mr." Karen" Papoyan," Mr." Vahe" Sargsyan," Mr." Gegham" Muradyan" (Hydrogeological" Monitoring"
Centre);"
− Mr."Artur"Baghdasaryan,"Mr."Volodya"Narimanyan,"Mr."Harutyun"Khachatryan"(Ministry"of"Agriculture);"
− Mr." Sanasar" Baghdasaryan," Mr." Gor" Melikyan," Mr." Yura" Azatyan," Mr." Hamlet" Gasparyan" (Armavir," Aragatsotn" and"
Shirak"Regional"Administrations);"
− Mr."Gevorg"Torosyan"(Ministry"of"Energy"and"Natural"Resources);"
− Mr."Aida"Petikyan"(Ministry"of"Health);"
− Mr."Vahe"Asryan"(Ministry"of"Finance)."
"
This%document%has%been%produced%with%the%assistance%of%the%European%Union.%
The%contents%of%this%report%are%the%sole%responsibility%of%the%Human%Dynamics%
Consortium%and%can%in%no%way%be%taken%to%reflect%the%views%%
of%the%European%Union.%
"
"
2"
The,Objective,and,Approach,of,the,Draft,Plan,,
"
This" draft" Basin" Management" Plan" for" Akhuryan" River" Basin" District" (RBD)" is" developed" according" to" the"
approaches"and"methodologies"of"the"European"Union"Water"Framework"Directive"(EU"WFD)"and"national"
water" legislation" of" Armenia." The" aim" of" the" draft" plan" is" to" improve" the" common" understanding" of" the"
authorities" responsible" for" water" management," the" administration," the" competent" authority" of"the"
Akhuryan"RBD"and"the"public"in"general"on"the"advantages"and"disadvantages"of"the"WFD"methodology,"as"
well"as"to"increase"their"technical"capacities"by"means"of"development"and"implementation"of"river"basin"
management"plans."
""
The"core"of"this"basin"management"plan"is"the"Programme"of"Measures"(PoM)"that"aims"at"achieving"the"
environmental" objectives" set" for" all" waters" (good" status)." The" PoM" is" based" on" analyses" of" the" baseline"
conditions" in" the" basin" and" significant" anthropogenic" pressures" and" impacts" on" water" resources."" The"
pressure]impact"analysis"is"site"specific,"resulting"in"identification"of"the"specific"problems"and"their"causes,"
which"may"put"water"bodies"at"risk"to"achieve"environmental"objectives."The"PoM"identifies"measures"for"
each"water"body"at"risk,"thus,"making"the"PoM"both"site"and"pressure"specific."
"""
A"number"of"gaps"in"data"and"knowledge"are"identified"while"drafting"the"draft"basin"management"plan."The"
main"data"gaps"include"limited"information"on"economic"activities"impacting"surface"and"groundwater"quality"
and"quantity,"limited"number"or"absence"of"monitoring"posts"giving"information"on"the"actual"water"quality"
and" quantity" as" well" as" absence" of" hydrobiological" monitoring" in" the" country." These" gaps" result" in" a"
fragmented" way" of" analysing" technical" issues" (whereas" the" WFD" requires" integrated" approach." The" Draft"
Basin"Management"Plan"for"the"Akhuryan"RBD"provides"recommendations"for"filling"the"data"and"knowledge"
gaps."Some"of"the"were"filled"during"the"surface"water"and"groundwater"joint"field"surveys"conducted"in"2013]
2015" with" participation" of" specialist" of" the" Akhuryan" Water" Basin" Management" Authority" of" the" Water"
Resources" Management" Agency," Environmental" Impact" Monitoring" Centre," Hydrogeological" Monitoring"
Centre" of" the" Ministry" of" Nature" Protection" of" Armenia," as" well" as" Armenian" State" Hydrometeorological"
Service"of"the"Ministry"of"emergency"Situations"of"Armenia."
"
During"the"development"of"the"draft"Basin"Management"Plan,"the"following"three"public" information"and"
consultation"meetings"were"held"with"participation"of"stakeholders"on"different"components"of"the"plan:"
"
• Characterization"of"the"basin"(December"4,"2012,"Gyumri)"
• Significant"water"management"issues"for"the"basin"(June"20,"2014,"Gyumri)"
• Draft"Basin"Management"Plan,"including"the"Program"of"Measures"(March"26,"2015,"Gyumri)"
"
The" opportunity" to" participate" in" the" consultations" was" promoted" by" direct" notification" mass" e]mails,"
relevant"NGO"networks,"news"items"on"the"EPIRB"project"website"as"well"as"notifications"at"the"websites"of"
beneficiary"agencies"(see"(see"http://www.mnp.am/?aid=3902)."In"total"80"representatives"of"stakeholder"
organizations"of"national"and"local"level"were"participated"at"the"mentioned"public"consultation"meetings."
"
Besides"the"public"consultation"meeting,"opportunity"to"submit"written"comments"on"the"draft"RBMP"was"
open"until"May"31,"2015."A"total"of"40"comments"were"received"most"of"which"were"incorporated"in"the"
final"version"of"the"draft"plan."
,
The,Akhuryan,River,Basin,District,,
,
The" Akhuryan" RBD" combines" hydrological" basins" of" the" Akhuryan" and" Metsamor" Rivers" of" Armenia" and"
occupies"an"area"of"5,029"km2."The"basin"district"is"of"vital"importance"to"the"country,"and"is"transboundary"
with" neighbouring" Turkey." It" is" home" to" over" 30" rate" mammal" types" and" 200" bird" types." Notable" species"
include"endemic"Darevsky’s"viper."Vegetation"is"diverse"as"well,"including"rare"and"red]listed"species."
3"
"
"
Watershed"
area"
Lowest"
point"
Highest"
point"
Population"
number"
Urban"
settlements"
Rural"
settlements"
Marzes"
Akhuryan"
Metsamor"
River"Basin" River"Basin"
2
2
2784"km "
2245"km "
Akhuryan"
RBD"
2
5029"km "
948"m"
823"m"
823"m"
4090"m"
3300"m"
4090"m"
287,000"
222,000"
509,000"
3"
3"
6"
134"
119"
253"
Aragatsotn," Armavir,"
Shirak,"
Aragatsotn,"
Armavir"
Shirak,"
Ararat"
Shirak,"
Aragatsotn,"
Armavir,"
Ararat"
"
"
The"Akhuryan"River"originates"from"the"Arpilich"Reservoir,"located"at"the"absolute"altitude"of"2,017"m,"and"at"
708"km"from"the"river"mouth"flows"into"Araks"River"(at"the"altitude"of"905"m)."The"total"length"of"the"river"is"
186"km."The"largest"tributaries"of"the"Akhuryan"River"are:"Karkachun,"Tavshut,"Ashotzq"and"Jradzor.""
"
Source"of"the"Metsamor"River"is"wetlands"located"west"of"the"Ayghr"Lake,"at"the"absolute"altitude"of"860"m."
At" the" same" time," the" Ayghr" Lake" has" also" a" great" role" in" feeding" the" river." The" river" flows" through" the"
Ararat"Valley"and"discharges"into"Araks"River"at"625"km"upstream"the"Araks"River"mouth."The"total"length"
of"Metsamor"River,"which"has"exclusively"groundwater"feeding,"is"38"km."
"
As" for" groundwater" resources," the" main" aquifers" and" complexes" in" the" basin" are" represented" by" alluvial]
proluvial"and"lake]river"formations"of"inter]mountainous"concaves,"as"well"as"by"volcanic"or"lava"rocks."They"
play" very" important" role" in" the" RBD." Thus," Metsamor" River" originates" in" a" result" of" discharge" of"
groundwater"resources"of"the"Ararat"Artesian"Basin,"and"is"the"only"river"in"Armenia,"which"is"exclusively"
recharged"by"groundwater"resources.""
"
3
Water&Balance&of&the&Akhuryan&RBD,&mln&m &
"
4"
"
Economic,Activities,
,
Agriculture&
"
Agriculture"is"one"of"the"leading"sectors"of"economy"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD."The"main"profiles"of"agricultural"
production"in"the"upper"section"of"the"basin""]"Akhuryan"River"basin"are"crops"production"(grains,"including"
wheat"and"barley,"potatoes,"vegetables,"including"cabbage,"carrots,"beetroot,"melons,"fodder"crops,"such"as"
oat"and"alfalfa),"as"well"as"livestock"breeding."In"the"lower"section"of"the"basin"]"Metsamor"River"basin,"in"
addition" to" livestock" breeding," the" production" of" vegetables" in" the" green" houses" is" gradually" increasing,"
particularly"in"the"Armavir"region."Various"types"of"vegetables"and"strawberry"are"grown"under"glass"and"
polyethylene" covers" on" about"1,000"ha"of"the"land,"which"enables"to"provide"the"national"population"with"
fresh"vegetables"almost"all"over"the"year."
"
Agricultural&land&use&pattern&in&the&Akhuryan&RBD&
,
&
Fish&Farming&
"
Fish"farming"does"not"play"an"essential"role"in"the"economy"of"the"Akhuryan"River"basin,"whereas"in"the"last"
6]7" years" fish" farming" has" increased" significantly" in" the" lower" reaches" of" the" Metsamor" River" basin,&
particularly"in"the"Armavir"Marz,"contributing"significantly"to"the"economy"of"the"river"basin."As"of"January"
2014," there" were" about" 142" fish" farms" registered" in" the" Metsamor" River" basin," including" 92" operational."
The" permitted" water" use" by" these" farms" via" 176" groundwater" wells" comprised" 49,915.5" thousand" m3"
annually," which" is" about" 19.5%" of" total" water" abstraction" in" the" river" basin." The" annual" permitted"
wastewater"discharge"amounts"to"46,286.9"thousand"m3."These"farms,"with"total"surface"of"about"956"ha,"
occupy" water" lands," agricultural" and" community" lands" of" the" river" basin." Fish" farms" abstract" water" from"
groundwater"aquifers"of"the"Ararat"Valley"of"Armenia"and"return"flows"into"surface"waters"(Metsamor"and"
Araks"rivers)."
,
Hydropower&Plants&
!
Construction"of"small"HPPs"both"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD"and"in"Armenia"is"considered"to"be"a"principal"step"in"
renewable"energy"development."Currently"there"are"12"small"HPPs"operating"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD,"with"total"
installed"capacity"of"27,180"kW.""
"
In"general,"the"HPPs"of"the"Akhuryan"RBD"are"of"small"capacities."However,"they"exert"significant"pressure"
on"water"resources"in"terms"of"failure"to"maintain"ecological"flow"in"some"sections"of"Akhuryan"River."
5"
Water&Abstraction&
"
Water" use" in" the" Akhuryan" RBD" is" carried"
out" for" drinking]household," irrigation,"
industrial," hydropower" generation" and" fish"
farming" purposes." As" of" 2014," water"
abstraction"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD"amounts"to"
1,192.7" mln" m3," according" to" the" water" use"
permits." Surface" water" abstraction" (976.7"
mln" m3)" constituted" the" prevalent" part" of"
total" water" abstraction" (81.9%)," and" the"
groundwater" use" was" 216.0" mln" m3" (or"
18.1%" of" total)." There" are" 179" water"
abstraction" points" in" the" RBD," of" which" 138"
points" are" from" groundwater" and" 61" from"
surface" water" resources." While" in" Akhuryan"
River" basin" the" number" of" abstraction"
sources" is" close" (35" groundwater" and" 25"
"
3
surface),"in"Metsamor"River"basin"the"role"of"
Water&abstraction&in&Akhuryan&RBD&(in&mln&m )&"
groundwater" sources" dominant" (103"
groundwater"and"15"surface)."
,
"
Table" below" provides" summarized" data" on" water" use" in" the" Akhuryan" RBD" by" river" basins" and" water" use"
purpose."
"
Water&use&in&the&Akhuryan&RBD&by&sectors&as&of&January&2014&&
Akhuryan,River,basin,
Metsamor,River,basin,
Water,use,purpose,
3
3
mln,m ,
%,of,total,
mln,m ,
%,of,total,
Irrigation"
436.9"
46.66"
120.1"
46.84"
Hydropower"production"
433.3"
46.28"
25.0"
9.75"
Industry"
0.2"
0.02"
32.8"
12.79"
Drinking]household"
50.6"
5.41"
28.6"
11.15"
Fish"farming"
15.3"
1.63"
49.9"
19.46"
Total,
936.3,
100,
256.4,
100,
Akhuryan,RBD,
3
mln,m ,
%,of,total,
557.0"
46.70"
458.3"
38.42"
33.0"
2.77"
79.2"
6.64"
65.2"
5.47"
1192.7,
100,
"
Analysis,of,Pressures,and,Significant,Water,Management,Issues,
,
The" pressures" on" water" resources" of" Akhuryan" RBD" are" analysed" according" to" the" following" types:" point"
sources" of" pollution," diffuse" sources" pollution," and" hydromorphological" alterations." As" a" result," the"
following"significant"anthropogenic"pressures"on"water"resources"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD"are"identified.""
"
"
Summary&of&Significant&Anthropogenic&Pressures&on&Water&Resources&of&the&Akhuryan&RBD&
Type,of,pressure,
Water,resource,
Note,
Municipal"
Akhuryan"River"downstream"
Municipal" wastewater" collection" is" not" carried" out" properly,"
wastewater"
Gyumri"""
and," as" a" result," hazardous" substances" of" organic" and"
inorganic"origin"flow"into"the"river,"together"with"rainwater.""
Karkachun"River"
This" has" significant" impact" on" quality" of" the" Akhuryan" River"
downstream" Gyumri" and" Karkachun" River." As" a" result," the"
contents" of" BOD5," phosphorus," total" nitrogen" and" suspended"
particles"increase."
Middle"and"lower"sections"of"
Sanitation" of" towns" is" not" carried" out" properly." This" has"
the"Metsamor"River"
significant" impacts" on" quality" of" the" water" resources" of" the"
Metsamor" River" downstream" Metsamor" and" Armavir" towns."
As"a"result,"contents"of"BOD5," phosphorus,"total"nitrogen"and"
suspended"particles"increase."
6"
Type,of,pressure,
Wastewaters"
from"food"
industry"
Note,
Wastewaters" from" food" industry" pass" into" the" river" through"
the" sewage" system" and" have" significant" pressure" on" water"
quality."The"contents"of"organic"and"inorganic"compositions"of"
nitrogen" and" phosphorus" increase" in" Akhuryan" River"
downstream"Gyumri"and"in"Karkachun"River."
Wastewaters" from" food" industry" pass" into" the" Metsamor"
River" through" the" sewage" system" and" have" significant"
pressure" on" water" quality." The" contents" of" nitrogen,"
phosphorus"and"organic"compositions"increase"in"river"water"
after"Armavir,"Talin"and"Metsamor"towns."
Wastewaters"
Ashotzq"River"from"Ashotzq"
Due"to"iron"and"molybdenum"ore"deposits"(which"have"never"
from"other"
settlement"to"the"river"mouth" been"under"exploitation)"in"the"lower"sections"of"the"Ashotzq"
industries"and"
"
tributary" of" the" Akhuryan" River," the" drainage" waters" from"
mining"
"
these" sites" contain" high" concentrations" of" arsenic," titanium,"
manganese,"nickel,"iron,"chrome,"boron.""
Karkachun"River"
Due" to" extraction" and" processing" of" construction" materials,"
the" contents" of" sodium," magnesium," potassium," calcium,"
bromine," manganese," strontium," molybdenum," antimony,"
sulphate" and" chloride" ions" increase" in" the" Karkachun" River,"
and"due"to"extraction"of"minerals"–"mineralization"values."As"a"
result," water" quality" of" the" Karkachun" River" was" classified" as"
bad," in" terms" of" sodium" and" molybdenum," and" moderate," in"
terms"of"manganese,"antimony"and"mineralization."
Fish"farming"
Middle"and"lower"sections"of"
Water"abstraction"for"fish"farming"has"significant"pressure"on"
the"Metsamor"River"
groundwater" resources" of" the" South]eastern" part" of"
Metsamor" River" basin" as" well" as" on" Metsamor" river" flow.""
North]western"part"of"the"
Fish]farming"is"also"a"potential"factor"of"water"pollution"and,"
Ararat"Artesian"Basin"
judging" from" the" volumes" of" consumed" water:" it" has"
significant" pressure" on" quality" of" water" resources" of"
Metsamor"River"basin."
Water"abstraction" Akhuryan" River" upstream" The" ecological" flow" requirement" is" not" maintained" due" to"
for"hydropower"
Amasia"town""
operation"of"small"HPPs.""
generation"
Akhuryan" River" downstream"
Livestock"
breeding""
Hydro]
morphological"
alteration"
Water,resource,
Akhuryan"River"downstream"
Gyumri"""
"
"
Karkachun"River"
Middle"and"lower"sections"of"
the"Metsamor"River"
the"Kaps"Reservoir"
Akhuryan"River"downstream"
Gyumri""
Karkachun"River"
Akhuryan"River"downstream"
the"Akhuryan"Reservoir"
Selav]Mastara"tributary"of"the"
Metsamor"River"
Lower"section"of"the"
Metsamor"River"
Akhuryan"River"downstream"
the"Arpilich"Lake"
Lower"section"of"the"
Metsamor"River"
"
"
Cattle"breeding"in"the"Akhuryan"River"basin"leads"to"increase"
in" concentrations" of" nitrogen," phosphorus" and" organic"
compounds" particularly" in" the" Akhuryan" and" Karkachun"
Rivers."
A" cattle" breeding" is" mostly" developed" in" Talin" and"
Baghramyan" regions" of" the" Metsamor" River" basin." This" leads"
to" increase" in" contents" of" nitrogen," phosphorus" and" organic"
compounds."
About" 11" km" long" stretch" of" the" Akhuryan" River" (from"
Berdashen"community"to"Pokr"Sepasar"community)"is"diverted"
though"the"earthen"canal.""
According" to" the" results" of" the" first" Joint" Field" Survey," the"
lower"section"of"the"Metsamor"River"(around"Gai"settlement)"
has"been"significantly"altered"in"terms"of"hydromorphology."
"
In"total,"61"surface"water"bodies"have"been"delineated"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD"out"of"which:"
• 26"are"natural"water"bodies"that"are"not"at"risk"to"fail"the"EU"WFD"environmental"objectives,""
• 10"are"at!risk,"
• 4"water"bodies"possibly!at!risk"
• 13"are"AWBs,"including"12"canals"and"one"group"of"ponds;"
• 8"are"HMWBs"(reservoirs).!"
7"
"
Delineated)Surface)Water)and)Groundwater)Bodies)in)the)Akhuryan)RBD"
8"
"
"
Status&and&Length&of&the&Delineated&Surface&Water&Bodies&in&the&Akhuryan&RBD&&
"
As"of"groundwater"bodies,"9"GWBs"of"5"aquifer"types"have"been"delineated"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD,"of"which"
1"is"at"risk"due"to"overBabstraction"(groundwater"body"in"Metsamor"aquifer)."
"
2
Areas&(in&km )&of&Delineated&Groundwater&Bodies&by&Types&in&Akhuryan&RBD&
"
"
Vulnerability,of,water,resources,within,the,context,of,climate,change,
"
In" order" to" assess" the" vulnerability" of" water" resources" of" Akhuryan" RBD" within" the" context" of" climate"
change,"the"globally"used"RCP6.0"and"RCP8.5"scenarios"were"applied"to"obtain"the"alterations"in"the"values"
of"temperature"and"precipitation"for"the"periods"of"2011B2040,"2041B2070"and"2071B2100"in"relation"to"the"
average"baseline"of"1961B1990."
"
The&projected&average&annual&river&flow&values&in&Akhuryan&RBD&due&to&climate&change&in&relation&to&the&baseline&
values&of&the&period&of&1961H1990&&
Flow,alteration,
Baseline,
196181990,
River8Observation,post,
Scenario,
201182040,
204182070,
207182100,
3
3
3
3
,mln,m ,,
,mln,m ,,
%,
,mln,m ,,
%,
,mln,m ,,
%,
RCP6.0"
237.3"
2.5"
237.7"
2.7"
242.0"
4.5"
Akhuryan"B"Akhurik"
232"
RCP8.5"
240.7"
4.0"
249.1"
7.6"
252.5"
9.1"
RCP6.0"
993.1"
4.4"
1013.8"
6.6"
1041.5"
9.5"
Akhuryan"B"Haykadzor"
951"
RCP8.5"
1008.8"
6.1"
1066.3"
12.1"
1088.6"
14.5"
RCP6.0"
29.8"
B8.7"
27.4"
B16.1"
26.8"
B18.0"
KarkachunBGharibjanyan"
33"
RCP8.5"
30.1"
B7.9"
28.4"
B13.1"
27.8"
B15.0"
RCP6.0"
330"
B2"
320"
B5"
300"
B11"
Metsamor"B"Etchmiadzin"
338"
RCP8.5"
327"
B3"
315"
B6"
295"
B13"
RCP6.0"
435"
B1"
425"
B4"
400"
B9"
Metsamor"B"Ranchpar"
442"
RCP8.5"
426"
B4"
420"
B5"
390"
B12"
"
It"is"projected,"that"the"river"flow"will"increase"(due"to"increased"precipitation)"at"Akhurik"and"Haykadzor"
hydrological" observation" post" in" both" scenarios," while" in" the" KarkachunBGharibjanyan," MetsamorB
Etchmiadzin"and"MetsamorBRanchpar"hydrological"observation"posts"the"flow"will"be"reduced."
9"
"
"
Ecological,flow,in,delineated,surface,water,bodies,,
"
The"values"of"ecological"flow"were"calculated"for"the"delineated"surface"water"bodies"of"Akhuryan"RBD."In"
addition," for" the" hydrological" observation" posts" of" the" basin," the" comparisons" of" the" multiByear" average"
and"multiByear"minimum"observed"river"flow"values"with"the"estimated"annual"ecological"flow"values"were"
provided."
"
The" calculations" show" that" in" a" number" of" observation" posts" (AkhuryanBPaghakn," AkhuryanBAmasia,"
AkhuryanBAkhurik,"KarkachunBGharibjanyan"and"MetsamorBRanchpar)"the"actual"water"flow"is"considerably"
low"than"the"annual"ecological"flow"value"due"to"regulation"of"river"flow"or"water"abstraction"for"different"
purposes."These"observation"posts"are"situated"on"those"surface"water"bodies,"which"have"been"defined"as"
water"bodies"at"risk"during"delineation"of"river"water"bodies"
"
Water,supply,and,demand,assessment,
"
In" Akhuryan" RBD" the" usable" surface" water" resources," which" are" supposed" to" be" the" surface" reserves" for"
formation" of" water" supply," are" estimated" at" 2,500" million" m3," while" exploitable"underground" water"
resources"(guaranteed)"are"estimated"at"2,164"million"m3.""
"
The"evaluation"of"the"total"water"use"demand"(baseline"status)"and"water"use"by"sectors"at"the"Akhuryan"
RBD" for" 2014" was" carried" out" on" the" basis" of" water" use" volume" set" in" water" use" permits" issued" by" the"
Ministry"of"Nature"Protection"of"Armenia."These"data"serve"as"basis"for"the"formation"of"water"demand.""
The"analysis"of"water"supply"and"water"demand"shows"that"in"Akhuryan"RBD"water"demand"for"different"
economic" purposes" will" grow" until" 2030" by" 75" million" m3" for" underground" sources" (by" 42.4%)" and" 242"
million" m3" for" surface" sources" (by" 25.1%)." During" the" same" period" the" water" supply" will" decrease" by" 217"
million"m3"for"underground"sources"(10.0%)"and"by"215"million"m3"for"surface"sources"(by"7.5%)."
"
Overall&water&supply&and&water&demand&in&Akhuryan&RBD&for&2014H2030*&
Water,Supply,/,Water,Demand,
2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022,
965"
996"
1026" 1056" 1086"
Water"supply"
177"
187"
196"
205"
216"
2855" 2745" 2634" 2523" 2412"
Water"demand"
2164" 2137" 2109" 2083" 2056"
B/B"
B/B"
B/B"
B/B"
B/B"
Deficit/surplus"
1890" 1749" 1608" 1467" 1326"
1987" 1950" 1913" 1878" 1840"
2024,
1116"
224"
2302"
2028"
B/B"
1186"
1804"
2026,
1147"
233"
2192"
2002"
B/B"
1045"
1769"
2028,
1177"
243"
2080"
1975"
B/B"
903"
1732"
2030,
1207"
252"
1970"
1947"
B/B"
763"
1695"
*&Numerator,indicates,water,abstraction,for,surface,water,sources,and,denominator,from,underground,water,sources,,
"
Program,of,Measures,
"
Wastewater&from&Households&and&Food&Industry&
"
The"measure"to"reduce"pollution"from"untreated"sewage"is"to"collect"it"in"a"sewerage"system"and"lead"it"to"
a"Waste"Water"Treatment"Plant"(WWTP)."The"WWTP"serves"one"of"the"towns."Whether"villages"also"can"be"
served"by"a"particular"WWTP"is"dependent"on"the"topography,"the"distance"to"the"WWTP,"the"number"of"
inhabitants" in" the" village" and" how" much" they" are" dispersed." All" towns" and" villages" served" by" one" WWTP"
constitute"one"agglomeration."Two"agglomerations"are"proposed"in"Akhuryan"RBD,"where"suitable"places"
for"WWTPs"are"identified."
"
"
10"
"
"
"
Proposed&Locations&of&the&WWTPs&in&Gyumri&and&Armavir&Agglomerations&
Livestock&Breeding&
"
It"is"proposed"to"launch"a"project"with"the"overall"objective"to"secure"that"livestock"breeding"happens"in"an"
environmentally" safe" and" economically" sound" way." The" project" will" focus" on" the" Ani," Artik," Talin" and"
Baghramyan"regions"of"Akhuryan"RBD"and,"among"other"things,"will"develop"a"system"of"manure"collection"
from"cattle"farms,"in"order"to"minimize"its"impact."
"
"
,
,
,
"
"
Regions&with&Intensive&Agriculture&in&the&Akhuryan&
and&Metsamor&River&Basins&
Industry&&
"
To"address"the"pollution"loads"as"a"result"of"extraction"of"tuff"and"other"minerals"in"the"Artik"region,"the"
PoM" recommends" conducting" a" feasibility" study" to" determine" the" viable" alternative" options" for" preB
treatment" and" recycling" of" water" in" the" process" of" extraction" of" tuff." The" possible" solutions," such" as"
construction" of" biological" ponds" for" treatment," installation" of" closed" water" system" within" the" industrial"
enterprises,"should"be"considered"during"the"feasibility"study."Also,"preBtreatment"and"recycling"of"water"in"
construction"materials"processing"industry"is"proposed."
"
Fish&Farming&
"
For" fish" farms" of" the" Metsamor" River" basin," steps" towards" the" introduction" of" BATs" are" proposed." These"
steps"include"the"following:"inventory"of"all"operational"fish"farms;"introduction"of"waterBsaving"closed"and"
semiBclosed" systems;" monitoring" and" assessment" of" the" quality" of" return" flows" from" the" fish" farms;"
"
11"
preparation" of" a" package" of" recommendations" on" treatment" of" the" return" flows" before" discharging;" and"
introduction"of"selfBmonitoring"and"reporting"protocols"for"fish"farms.&
&
Hydromorphological&Alterations&
"
For"significant"hydromorphological"alterations"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD"several"basic"measures"are"proposed,"
including" review" of" water" use" permit" conditions" and" improvement" of" enforcement," abolishment" of"
abandoned"and"illegally"operating"groundwater"wells,"implementation"of"river"restoration"activities."These"
measures,"among"other"things,"will"help"in"restoring"the"groundwater"levels"in"the"Metsamor"River"basin,"
ensure" the" maintenance" of" the" minimum" ecological" flows," which" are" currently" being" violated" by" several"
small"HPPs"in"Akhuryan"River"basin,"and"restore"the"11"km"long"strength"of"Akhuryan"River"from"Berdashen"
community"to"Pokr"Sepasar"community,"which"is"currently"diverted"through"the"earthen"canal.""
"
Supplementary,Measures,
"
In" addition" to" the" aboveBmentioned" basic" measures," supplementary" measures" are" proposed," including" the"
following:" development" of" WFD" compliant" monitoring" program" for" surface" water" and" groundwater" bodies;"
investigative"monitoring"to"find"out"the"reason"of"elevated"As"concentration"in"groundwater"bodies"of"Ashotzq"
and"Armavir"regions;"and"improvement"of"the"system"for"surface"water"and"groundwater"status"assessment."
!
Economic,Analysis,and,Prioritization,of,Measures,
"
Preliminary"costs"for"implementing"the"proposed"basic"and"supplementary"measures"in"Akhuryan"RBD"were"
estimated" based" on" comparative" analysis" of" costs" for" implementing" similar" measures" as" part" of" public"
expenditures"or"donor"supported"initiatives,"localization"of"respective"financial"and"cost"estimates"conducted"
by"various"institutions,"as"well"as"consultations"and"discussions"conducted"with"respective"authorities."""
"
Costing" of" the" PoM" provides" the" national" government" and" other" decision" makers" with" preliminary"
information" on" costs" and" outcomes" of" adoption" and" implementation" of" the" PoM" as" a" part" of" the" basin"
management"plans,"as"well"as"allows"for"more"realistic"planning"of"the"respective"budgets"and"prioritization"
of"measures."
"
After" conducting" the" preliminary" cost" estimates" of" the" PoM," the" effectiveness" analysis" was" conducted" as"
the"next"step"and"implementation"of"measures"was"prioritised"based"on"budget"availability"and"“winBwin”"
situation"identified"by"expert"judgement"in"terms"of"ecological"effectiveness"of"the"measures."
"
Prioritized&Measures&Proposed&for&the&Akhuryan&RBD&
Measures,
Construction"of"WWTP"in"Gyumri"and"Armavir"agglomerations"
Implementation"of"river"restoration"at"11"km"long"stretch"of"Akhuryan"River"
Introduction"of"Best"Available"Technologies"in"industry"
Liquidation"of"abandoned"and"illegally"operated"groundwater"wells"
Application"of"Good"Agricultural"Practices"
Review"of"water"use"permit"conditions"and"improvement"of"enforcement"
Investigative"monitoring"for"detecting"high"arsenic"concentrations"in"groundwater"
bodies"around"Armavir"and"Ashotzq"
Improvement"of"water"status"assessment"
Feasibility"study"for"construction"of"wastewater"treatment"plants"outside"of"the"
defined"agglomerations"
Development"of"WFD"compliant"monitoring"program"for"surface"and"groundwater"
bodies"of"Akhuryan"RBD"
Total,
*"3"–"highest"priority,"1"B"lowest"priority"
Priority,
class,*,
3"
3"
3"
3"
2"
2"
2"
Estimated,
Budget,,EUR,
55,313,470"
150,000"
1,172,000"
1,278,000"
1,040,000"
67,000"
10,000"
2"
1"
60,000"
840,000"
1"
778,600"
,
60,709,070,
"
Implementation,of,Pilot,Projects,Selected,from,the,Program,of,Measures,,
,
The" EU" EPIRB" project," in" consultation" with" stakeholder" institutions," has" selected" from" the" Program" of"
Measures"and"implemented"the"following"4"pilot"project"with"the"total"cost"of"around"EUR"100,000:"
,
"
12"
•
Improvement"
of"
water"
resources"
management" and" ensuring" efficient" water"
use" through" development" of" a" system" for"
an" automated," centralized," onBline" control"
of" actual" water" use" in" Metsamor" River"
basin" of" the" Akhuryan" RBD" of" Armenia"
(November"2014"–"June"2015),"
"
•
Construction" of" groundwater" monitoring"
well" in" Aknashen" community" of" Metsamor"
River" basin" of" the" Akhuryan" RBD" and" its"
refurbishment" with" autoBmated" measuring"
equipment"(May"2014BSeptember"2015),"
•
Rehabilitation"of"selected"ten"groundwater"
monitoring"springs"in"Akhuryan"River"basin"
of" the" Akhuryan" RBD" (November" 2015" –"
May"2016),"
•
Rehabilitation"
of"
AkhuryanBAkhurik"
hydrological" monitoring" post" and"
installation" of" the" modern" measuring"
equipment"(December"2015"–"July"2016)"
"
"
"
Locations&of&the&implemented&pilot&projects,
,
,
"
OnHline&water&use&control&pilot&project,
"
Pilot&project&on&construction&of&new&groundwater&monitoring&well&&
"
13"
"
"
,
Assessment,of,financial,deficit,in,the,Akhuryan,RBD,
,
For"proper"water"resources"management,"monitoring"and"compliance"assurance"in"the"Akhuryan"RBD"it"is"
necessary" to" allocate" around" 397,000" Euro" annually," while" the" total" revenues" collected" from" water"
abstraction" fees," environmental" fees" and" fines" and" penalties" for" damaging" water" bodies" in" 2015" were"
comprised"about"238,500"Euro."Thus,"the"annual"deficit"for"water"monitoring,"monitoring"and"compliance"
assurance"in"Akhuryan"RBD"amounts"to"about"158,500"Euro.""
"
The"financial"deficit"in"sectoral"services"is"much"larger."Thus,"irrigation"water"supply"agencies"and"all"Water"
Users"Association"of"Akhuryan"RBD"received"about"4,682,000"Euro"subsidies"in"2015,"to"cover"the"operation"
and"maintenance"costs."Subsidies"to"cover"the"operation"and"maintenance"costs"of"drinking"water"supply"
services" in" Akhuryan" RBD" in" 2015" were" comprised" approximately" 3,387,000" Euro." Finally," for"
implementation" of" the" program" of" measures" envisaged" in" the" RBMP" of" Akhuryan" RBD," it" is" necessary" to"
allocate"around"60,709,000"Euro,"which,"taking"into"consideration"the"6Byear"planning"cycle"of"the"program"
of"measures"will"make"an"annual"deficit"of"approximately"10,118,000."
"
The"table"below"summarizes"the"financial"deficit"in"Akhuryan"RBD"for"proper"water"resources"management,"
monitoring,"compliance"assurance,"provision"of"sectoral"services,"as"well"as"implementing"the"program"of"
measures"envisaged"by"the"RBMP."
"
Financial&Deficit&in&Akhuryan&RBD&in&the&Period&of&2016H2021&
Sector,
Management,"monitoring"and"compliance"assurance"
Drinking"water"supply"and"sanitation"
Irrigation"water"supply"
Implementation"of"program"of"measures"of"the"basin"management"plan"
Total"
Annual,deficit,,EUR,
158500"
3387000"
4682000"
10,118,000"
18,345,500,
"
In"order"to"cover"the"mentioned"deficit,"it"is"recommended"to"implement"a"number"of"steps,"particularly:"
"
•
•
•
•
"
Defining" water" abstraction" and" environmental" fees" based" on" permitted" quantities," rather" than" on"
actual"water"use"and"discharge"of"pollutants;"
Applying"water"abstraction"fees"also"to"the"nonBconsumptive"water"users"with"the"rate"at"10%"of"the"
rate"for"other"types"of"water"uses"(particularly"for"hydropower"plants"with"nominal"production"larger"
than"100"kW);"
Multiplying"the"rate"of"environmental"fees"by"5"for"all"water"bodies"of"Armenia,"which"are"under"risk"
due"to"water"quality;"
Revising" special" low" water" abstraction" rates" that" are" currently" defined" for" organizations" in" charge" of"
drinkingBhousehold"water"supply."
In"case"of"implementing"the"aboveBmentioned"measures,"it"is"possible"to"reduce"the"annual"deficit"in"water"
sector"of"Akhuryan"RBD"by"about"730,000"Euro,"without"posing"any"significant"social"and"economic"impact"
on"economic"actors"and"households."In"addition,"additional"financial"or"alternative"sources"for"reducing"the"
financial"deficit"were"recommended"in"the"draft"plan."
"
14"