‘Nothing has changed, it’s getting worse’. About 30% of Stepanakert remains without water

About 25-30% of Stepanakert is without water. During these days, Artsakh's Water Supply Company is providing free water to residents of the waterless neighborhoods in Stepanakert with workgroups and vehicles from morning until midnight.

In an interview with NEWS.am, the director of Artsakh's Water Supply Company, Gagik Poghosyan, stated that the shortage of water supplies is due to two factors: an increase in the number of water users and a decrease in precipitation.

“Nothing has changed, on the contrary, it is getting worse. Currently, 25-30% of the population is without water. At this time, 152 liters/second of water is entering, while we need approximately 295 liters/second to ensure the water supply of Stepanakert city,” said Gagik Poghosyan.

Poghosyan noted that the only hope at the moment is precipitation: “Currently, we are providing water to the people around the clock with vehicles. In the yards of apartment buildings on the streets without water, we have installed polyethylene tanks and are supplying water according to a round-the-clock schedule, so residents can benefit from it.”

The dean of the Geography and Geology Faculty at Yerevan State University, docent Marat Grigoryan, assured that in recent years, Artsakh has not faced any water issues. He asserted that problems arose when a large portion of Artsakh's territories came under Azerbaijani control.

“We lost vast territories. The streams that were used for both irrigation and drinking are now under enemy control. It is natural that they now control water flows into the territories of Artsakh,” he said.

Marat Grigoryan stated that if there is no water, serious economic problems arise: “The main sources of those waters are now under their control, as well as the sources of other rivers. Recently, we heard that they demolished a bridge from the 10th century over the Ishkhanaget River and intend to change the river's flow. They are doing this work with all the rivers that originate from their occupied territories, which flow towards Armenia or Artsakh.”

The geologist stated that the only solution to this problem is to return the territories of Artsakh: “There is only one way to resolve the issue – we must be able to regain control over those supply sources that come to Artsakh as much as possible.”