Irrigation Water Prices Remain Unchanged: Clarification from the Water Committee

In response to the demands of water users in the Aragatsavan community of Aragatsotn Province, the Water Committee has issued a clarification stating:

The irrigation water tariff has remained unchanged for over ten years, standing at 11 drams per cubic meter throughout the republic, and there is no question of revising this averaged tariff on the agenda. There is also no tariff based on liters or any other variation. The current rate is nearly double the cost and the government subsidizes the difference.

Every water user may request an irrigation water measurement, and the responsible officials of the Water Users Association are obliged to ensure this.

The calculation of water payment per hectare is carried out according to the normative demands for the crops in that area, as different plants, like fruit trees, vegetables, or cereals, have varying water needs according to professional standards. Therefore, there is no issue of increasing the price of irrigation water in Aragatsavan or any other community, and the requirement to pay a fixed amount per hectare is based on the norm associated with each crop's water needs.

Some areas of land in Aragatsavan are above the normative standard, meaning the demand for irrigation water in these areas exceeds the usual amount, especially when moisture-loving cultures are cultivated. The additional demand for water on these super-normative lands leads to extra costs, which justly raises complaints from water users. However, to avoid large expenses, the Water Committee periodically encourages water users to seek agricultural consultations and make proper crop selections in these areas. This is a serious issue requiring comprehensive solutions.

However, this problem has persisted for years and a significant part of the accrued debts in the irrigation system is attributed to the additional watering of super-normative lands.

To fundamentally regulate the issue of irrigating super-normative lands, the Water Committee has prepared a package of proposals and submitted it to the higher ministry, after which a draft decision by the government will be developed.

Officials from the Water Committee have also discussed this matter with water users from Aragatsavan and other targeted territories. Another proposal has been made to eliminate distrust regarding measurements: to allow water users to select trusted individuals to conduct measurements or to perform them in their presence.

Another consideration is that Water User Associations are non-profit organizations, and the payments made by water users are solely for the maintenance and servicing of the system; consequently, underpayments directly affect the sustainability of water supply.

The chair and deputy of the Water Committee have met multiple times with the protesters, provided clarifications, discussed the raised issues, and informed them about the ongoing actions in detail.

The Water Committee urges water users to seek solutions through discussion, dialogue, and incremental daily efforts, assuring them that they are always alongside water users and that reforms are underway to make the system more efficient.

Note: We also inform you that the head of the Water Committee, Vardan Melkonyan, has just returned from Aragatsavan, where he negotiated with water users again, reached an agreement, and the way has been opened.