Residents of Aragatsavan Community Report Water Shortage for 4 Days

Residents of the Aragatsavan community in the Aragatsotn region have reported that they have been without drinking water for 4 days. One of the community members told 168.am that about 95% of the residents rely on water brought from Talin by special trucks, which circulate daily through the villages, allowing people to fill up water in barrels. “One truck for 40 liters costs 350 dram... Since June 21, the trucks have not come; we have been without drinking water for 4 days, and right now, there is only one glass of water at home. They explain that there is a shortage of water in the reservoirs of Talin, so there is no water...”

The resident also noted that while previously two trucks would enter the village in a day, sometimes each truck would make two trips, today only one private truck is entering, making it difficult for some to access water. “There’s a bakery in Aragatsavan, and the owner brings water from Talin in his own truck (cistern), and those who find out first and have a vehicle go to get water. It turns out that those without vehicles or the elderly cannot access water... Especially now, when it is extremely hot and apricot season.”

The head of the Aragatsavan community, Andranik Papikyan, confirmed the information shared by the villager in an interview with the media: “The mountain water has decreased, and that reservoir is not filling up to provide water. Previously, water was brought 3-4 times a day, but today it is only once; there is still none... No rain has fallen, and no snow has come; we were expecting such a situation. But it’s not an impossible situation; we supply artesian water around the clock. The people have been drinking that water for 50-60 years.”

When asked whether the water distribution is organized to ensure that the same resident doesn’t receive water every day while others do not, the community leader responded, “It is organized by streets. They do not provide the required amount; they give little by little so that at least everyone can manage. Today, I stood next to the cistern; we did not fill the barrels; instead, we filled them with buckets—one bucket, two buckets—so that we can provide drinking water for everyone...”